Luxembourg, 29/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The American company Galileo International Technology and its European subsidiaries have just called on the EU Court of First Instance to prevent the European Commission from using the 'Galileo' name for its global satellite navigation system and to pay it EUR 50 million in damages from the use of this term. Galileo is a name registered by this company in all the EU countries and recorded at the Community Trade Mark office in Alicante, indicates the American company.
If the European Commission continues to use the Galileo name, the American company demands EUR 240 million.
For Galileo International Technology, the Commission is infringing its right to the protection of its trade mark, protected by the Paris Convention Treaty of 1883 and its right to social welfare. The American company also invokes the danger of confusion as products and services it offers would present similarities 'with regards to the aim of the Community project.'
Galileo - specialised in the provision of 'online' information sales and distribution services for airports, airlines and the tourism industry in general - also refutes the Commission argument that it does not feel it is make commercial use of the term Galileo and does not work in the same sector.
Finally, the company feels that the European Commission was informed of the American group's rights over the term 'Galileo' and that it acted unfairly and with negligence.