62020TJ0118_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 16 December 2020 –Voco v EUIPO (Shape of packaging)
(Case T‑118/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of packaging – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of 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 – Meaning
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see para. 25)
2.
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 para. 26)
3.
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 27-29, 41)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade mark consisting of the shape of packaging
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 31, 42-44, 46-48)
5.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Registration of a new trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Burden of proof
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 95(1))
(see para. 45)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 4 December 2019 (Case R 978/2019-5) concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign consisting of the shape of packaging as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 4 December 2019 (Case R 978/2019-5);
2.
Orders EUIPO to pay the costs.