62020TJ0290_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Tenth Chamber) of 30 June 2021 –Ceramica Flaminia v EUIPO – Ceramica Cielo (goclean)
(Case T‑290/20)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark goclean – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 52(1)(a) and Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 59(1)(a) and Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Article 95(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – No distinctive character acquired through use – Article 52(2) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 59(2) of Regulation 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see para. 18)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 52(1)(a) and 7(1)(b))
(see paras 26-28, 45)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 52(1)(a) and 7(1)(b))
(see paras 29-32)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark goclean
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 52(1)(a) and 7(1)(b))
(see paras 37-44, 46)
5.
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
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(a))
(see para. 50)
6.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Scope – Obligation to prove matters within common knowledge
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))
(see paras 55, 56)
7.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Burden of proof
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 52(2) and 7(3))
(see para. 64)
8.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Criteria for assessment – Taking into account the market share held by the mark – Whether permissible
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 52(2) and 7(3))
(see paras 65-68)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 16 March 2020 (Case R 991/2018-2), relating to invalidity proceedings between Ceramica Cielo and Ceramica Flaminia.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Ceramica Flaminia SpA to pay the costs.