Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 31 January 2019 –Geske v EUIPO (SATISFYERMEN)
(Case T‑427/18)
(EU trade mark — Application for the EU figurative mark SATISFYERMEN — Absolute grounds for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Duty to state reasons — First sentence of Article 94 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
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 — Aim — Need to preserve availability
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 17)
2.      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 — Concept
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 19-23, 39)
3.      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 — Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 24)
4.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods — Marque Figurative mark SATISFYERMEN
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 26, 35, 37, 38)
5.      Action for annulment — Pleas in law — Lack of or inadequate statement of reasons — Separate ground from the one concerning substantive legality
(Art. 263 TFEU)
(see para. 49)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 10 May 2018 (Case R 2603/2017-1), relating to the application for registration of the figurative mark SATISFYERMEN as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr André Geske to pay the costs.