Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 10 September 2015 —
Volkswagen v OHIM (STREET)
(Case T‑321/14)
Community trade mark — Application for Community word mark STREET — Absolute grounds for refusal — Descriptive character — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009
1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community 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 (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 11, 21)
2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 12, 13, 22-24, 33)
3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Word mark STREET (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 14, 25-31)
4.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 39-41)
5.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark STREET (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 44-46)
6.                     Community trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — OHIM’s previous decision-making practice (Council Regulation No 207/2009) (see paras 48-52)
Re:
ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 13 March 2014 (Case R 2025/2013-1), concerning an application for registration of the word sign STREET as a Community trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Volkswagen AG to pay the costs.