62021TJ0602_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 22 June 2022 –Kubara v EUIPO (good calories)
(Case T‑602/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark good calories – Absolute grounds for refusal – No distinctive character – Descriptiveness – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Legal certainty – Legitimate expectations)
1.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 18-20)
2.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU
(Art. 296 TFEU; Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)
(see para. 21)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Separate examination of the grounds for refusal in relation to each of the goods or services covered by the application for registration – Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register – Scope
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 94(1), first sentence)
(see paras 22-27)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Figurative mark good calories
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))
(see paras 36, 42, 45, 46)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Assessment of the registrability of a sign – Solely EU rules taken into account – Decisions of national authorities not binding EU bodies
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)
(see para. 40)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Overlap of the scope of the grounds set out in Article 7(1)(b) and Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))
(see para. 50)
7.
EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – The Office’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paras 54, 55)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Kubara sp. z o.o. to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 462, 15.11.2021.