11/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a ruling on Tuesday 11 September (C-17/06), the Court of Justice decided that the French company, Céline SARL, may indeed have violated the intellectual property rights of its rival, Céline SA, also specialised in off-the-peg clothing on the French market (C-17/06). The Nancy Court of Appeal, handling the original dispute, must now determine whether the use of the brand name “Céline” (previously patented by Céline SA) by Céline SARL has caused confusion about the origin of the products. If this is proven to be the case, Céline SARL could have the condemnation ruled by the Nancy High Court in 2005 confirmed under Articles 5 and 6 of the Community directive. (cd)