62019TO0553_INF
Order of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 11 June 2020 –Perfect Bar v EUIPO (PERFECT BAR)
(Case T‑553/19)
(Action for annulment – EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark PERFECT BAR – Absolute grounds for refusal – No distinctive character – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Decision taken following the annulment by the General Court of an earlier decision – Article 72(6) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)
1.
Action for annulment – Judgment ordering annulment – Effects – Obligation to implement – Scope – Both the operative part and the grounds of the judgment to be taken into account – Retroactive effect of annulment
(Art. 266 TFEU)
(see paras 25, 26)
2.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate 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. 41)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Meaning
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 42-44)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark PERFECT BAR
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 57-60)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 22 May 2019 (Case R 371/2019-5), relating to the application for registration of the word sign PERFECT BAR as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
1.
Dismisses the action as manifestly lacking any foundation in law.
2.
Orders Perfect Bar LLC to pay the costs.