62022TJ0319_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 1 February 2023 –Krematorium am Waldfriedhof Schwäbisch Hall v EUIPO (aquamation)
(Case T‑319/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark aquamation – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) 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 – Concept
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 17, 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 – Aim – Need to preserve availability
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 18)
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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 20, 32, 33)
4.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Probative value of the evidence –Articles from an encyclopaedia established on the internet
(see paragraph 28)
5.
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 aquamation
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 30, 35, 36, 39-41)
6.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Probative value of the evidence –Sources from non-EU territories
(see paragraph 34)
7.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Overlap of the scope of the grounds set out in Article 7(1)(b) and Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))
(see paragraph 43)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders the parties to bear their own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 276, 18.7.2022.