The Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf asks the Court of Justice of the European Union for a preliminary ruling on the following questions:

 In determining the likelihood of confusion of a Community word mark, what is the significance of a situation in which, from the perspective of the average consumer in some Member States, the aural similarity of the Community trade mark with another sign claimed to infringe that trade mark is eliminated by a difference in meaning, whereas from the perspective of the average consumer in other Member States it is not:

 (a) In determining the likelihood of confusion is the perspective of some Member States, of the other Member States, or that of a fictive EU average consumer decisive?

 (b) If there is a likelihood of confusion only in some Member States, has the Community trade mark been infringed across the European Union, or must the Member States be differentiated individually?

The UK government invites comments from the public that will enable it to determine whether it should intervene in these proceedings or make a submission to the Court.  If you would like to comment on this case just email policy@ipo.gov.uk by 10 July 2015.

Class 46 does not have any background information concerning this reference for a preliminary ruling and will be pleased to hear from any reader who can supply some detail of the context in which these questions are asked.