Request for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesgerichtshof (Germany) lodged on 19 October 2020 — NovaText GmbH v Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

(Case C-531/20)

(2021/C 28/32)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Bundesgerichtshof

Parties to the main proceedings

Appellant on a point of law: NovaText GmbH

Respondent in the appeal on a point of law: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

Question referred

Are Article 3(1) and Article 14 of Directive 2004/48/EC (1) to be interpreted as precluding national legislation imposing an obligation on the unsuccessful party to reimburse the costs incurred by the successful party for assistance by a patent lawyer in proceedings brought under trade mark law, whether or not the patent lawyer’s assistance was necessary for the purpose of appropriate legal action?

(1)  Directive 2004/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the enforcement of intellectual property rights (OJ 2004 L 157, p. 45).