62022TJ0656_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 17 May 2023 –moderne Stadt v EUIPO (DEUTZER HAFEN)
(Case T‑656/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark DEUTZER HAFEN – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Equal treatment)
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 14-17)
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 of the descriptive character of a sign – Geographical names
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 18-20)
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 DEUTZER HAFEN
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 24, 32-36)
4.
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 – Concept – Neologism consisting of elements descriptive of characteristics of the goods or services concerned – Whether included where the nature of the combination is not unusual
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 30, 31)
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 stringent and full examination in each individual case
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 45)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders moderne Stadt Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Städtebaues und der Gemeindeentwicklung mbH and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear their own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 472, 12.12.2022.