62023TJ0085_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 6 December 2023 –DGC Switzerland v EUIPO (cyberscan)
(Case T‑85/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark cyberscan – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Sufficiently direct and specific relationship with the goods and services covered by the trade mark application – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive character of a sign – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 13-15, 25, 28, 29, 44)
2.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment by EUIPO of registrability – Production of evidence – Not required
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 30)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark cyberscan
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 31, 42, 43, 46, 49, 51, 55, 57)
4.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – 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 paragraphs 58-60)
5.
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 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 62)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 127, 11.4.2023.