62022TJ0446_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 14 June 2023 –Corver v EUIPO (CHR ME)
(Case T‑446/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark CHR ME – Absolute ground for invalidity – Descriptive character – 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 – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 20, 21, 52)
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 – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 22, 30, 31)
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 – Aim – Need to preserve availability
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 23)
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 – Figurative mark CHR ME
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 36, 50, 62, 63, 74, 75, 77)
5.
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 of characteristic
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 43-45, 49)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the goods or services covered by the application for registration – Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register – Scope
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 94(1), first sentence)
(see paragraph 55)
7.
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 paragraphs 70-73)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Serge-Paul Corver and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear their own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 326, 29.8.2022.