62020TO0357_INF
Order of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 9 July 2021 –Kozhuvchanka uvoz-izvoz Kavadarci v EUIPO (NASHE MAKEDONSKO PILSNER BEER MACEDONIAN PREMIUM BEER)
(Case T‑357/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for the EU figurative mark NASHE MAKEDONSKO PILSNER BEER MACEDONIAN PREMIUM BEER – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptiveness – Geographical origin – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Direction addressed to the Office – Precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(6))
(see para. 13)
2.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Alteration of a decision of the Office – Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 66(1), 71(1) and 72(3))
(see paras 15-17)
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 – Definition
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 21, 22, 50)
4.
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 paras 23, 47, 53)
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 – Figurative mark NASHE MAKEDONSKO PILSNER BEER MACEDONIAN PREMIUM BEER
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 33-35, 46, 48, 56, 57)
6.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)
(see para. 61)
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 strict and complete examination in each particular case
(see paras 62, 63)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 2 April 2020 (Case R 1729/2019-1), relating to an application for registration of the figurative sign NASHE MAKEDONSKO PILSNER BEER MACEDONIAN PREMIUM BEER as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
1.
The action is dismissed.
2.
Drushtvo za proizvodvsto, trgovija i uslugi Kozhuvchanka d.o.o. uvoz-izvoz Kavadarci shall bear its own costs and pay those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).