62023TJ1153_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 9 April 2025 –Ghiassi v EUIPO – Hersill (VITAE)
(Case T‑1153/23)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark VITAE – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Lack of descriptive character – Distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided – Well-known facts taken into account
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7 and 59(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 13, 14)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7 and 59(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 16, 17)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – 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 paragraph 18)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept of characteristic
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 20, 44)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive character of a sign
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 21)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods – Word mark VITAE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 29, 36, 38-40, 53)
7.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment –Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraphs 49, 50)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Ardeshir Ghiassi, in addition to bearing his own costs, to pay those incurred by Hersill SL;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.