Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 10 September 2015 —
EE v OHIM (Representation of white dots on an ivory background)
(Case T‑144/14)
Community trade mark — Application for a Community figurative mark representing white dots on an ivory background — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009
1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 21, 22)
2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks constituted by a colour or a combination of colours (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 23-26)
3.                     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 para. 27)
4.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Figurative mark representing white dots on an ivory background (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 56, 57)
5.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the products or services covered by the application for registration — Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register — Scope (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see para. 59)
Re:
ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 7 January 2014 (Case R 705/2013-1) relating to an application for registration as a Community trade mark of a figurative sign representing white dots on an ivory background.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders EE Ltd to pay the costs.