62018TJ0669_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 14 November 2019 –Neoperl v EUIPO (Representation of four filled-in holes in a regular hole pattern)
(Case T‑669/18)
(EU trade mark — Application for an EU figurative mark representing four filled-in holes in a regular hole pattern — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 19-21, 44)
2.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 22-24)
3.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark consisting of the two-dimensional representation of a product — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 25, 26)
4.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria — Position mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 27, 28, 31)
5.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark representing four filled-in holes in a regular hole pattern
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 30, 36, 37, 48)
6.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria — Perception of the trade mark by the relevant public — Attention level of the public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 32, 35)
7.
EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO's previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see para. 47)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 10 September 2018 (Case R 2059/2017-5), concerning an application for registration of a sign representing four filled-in holes in a regular hole pattern as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Neoperl AG to pay the costs.