62021TJ0433_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 8 June 2022 –Vitronic v EUIPO (Enforcement Trailer)
(Case T‑433/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark Enforcement Trailer – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Article 7(2) of Regulation 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. 19)
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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 20, 21, 33, 50, 59, 60)
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 – Word mark Enforcement Trailer
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 31, 36, 48, 67, 70, 73)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard 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 43-45)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Assessment of the registrability of a sign – EU rules only taken into account – Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries – Decisions not binding EU bodies
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)
(see para. 63)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Refusal of registration based on one of the absolute grounds for refusal set out in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Whether sufficient
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))
(see para. 74)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Vitronic Dr.-Ing. Stein Bildverarbeitungssysteme GmbH to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 357, 6.9.2021.