62020TJ0489_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 8 September 2021 –Eos Products v EUIPO (Shape of a spherical container)
(Case T‑489/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of a spherical container – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctiveness – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2007/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 28, 65, 67, 97)
2.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria – Perception of the trade mark by the relevant public – Attention level of the public
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 31, 32, 34, 35)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment – Shape in question being a ‘variant’ of the habitual shapes of the type of products concerned – Fact not sufficient to establish distinctiveness of the mark
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 42-45, 83)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional sign constituted by the shape of a spherical container
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 49, 57, 69, 72, 75, 77, 84, 89, 92, 98)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(3))
(see para. 86)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 8 June 2020 (Case R 2017/2019-4), relating to an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign constituted by the shape of a spherical container as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Eos Products Sàrl to pay the costs.