62020TJ0287_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 27 January 2021 –Eggy Food v EUIPO (EGGY FOOD)
(Case T‑287/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark EGGY FOOD – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptiveness – 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 – Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))
(see para. 27)
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 para. 30)
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 31, 32, 43)
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 – Composite mark – Taking into account the overall perception of the mark by the relevant public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 33-35)
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 EGGY FOOD
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 37, 44, 53, 54)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Assessment of the registrability of a sign – EU rules only taken into account – Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries – Decisions not binding EU bodies
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)
(see para. 52)
7.
EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)
(see para. 57)
8.
EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – 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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)
(see para. 58)
9.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Refusal to register based on one of the absolute grounds of refusal listed in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Whether sufficient
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))
(see para. 64)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 9 March 2020 (Case R 1316/2019-5) concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign EGGY FOOD as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Eggy Food GmbH & Co KG to pay the costs.