62022TJ0298_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 6 December 2023 –BB Services v EUIPO – Lego Juris (Shape of a toy figure)
(Case T‑298/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – Three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of a toy figure – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Sign consisting exclusively of the shape which results from the nature of the goods themselves – Sign consisting exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Article 7(1)(e)(i) and (ii) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (now Article 7(1)(e)(i) and (ii) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs consisting exclusively of the shape which results from the very nature of the goods – Identification of the essential characteristics of a sign
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(e)(i) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 36-40, 66-68)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs consisting exclusively of the shape which results from the very nature of the goods – Assessment of the essential characteristics in the light of the nature of the goods
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(e)(i) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 41-45, 82-84)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs consisting exclusively of the shape which results from the very nature of the goods – Three-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of a toy figure
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(e)(i) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 60, 61, 69, 70, 75, 77, 89, 93)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Identification of the essential characteristics of a sign
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(e)(ii) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 102-109, 141, 142)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Assessment of the essential characteristics in the light of the technical function of the goods
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(e)(ii) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 110-114, 117-122, 127, 154-156)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Three-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of a toy figure
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(e)(ii) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 131, 138, 148-150, 160, 169, 171)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders BB Services GmbH to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 257, 4.7.2022.