62021TJ0188_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Tenth Chamber) of 15 December 2021 –Lück v EUIPO – R. H. Investment (MALLE)
(Case T‑188/21)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark MALLE – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Ineffective nature of the single plea in law)
1.
Action for annulment – Pleas in law – Pleas in law and complaints which cannot lead to the annulment of the contested measure – Ineffective pleas in law
(Art. 263 TFEU)
(see para. 14)
2.
Action for annulment – Subject matter – Decision based on several pillars of reasoning, each sufficient to justify the operative part – Annulment of such a decision – Conditions
(Art. 263 TFEU)
(see para. 15)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal – Interpretation of the grounds for refusal in the light of the public interest underlying each of them
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))
(see para. 16)
4.
Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – Clear and precise statement of the pleas relied on
(Statute of the Court of Justice, Arts 21, first para., and 53, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))
(see para. 17)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 21 December 2020 (Case R 1393/2020-5), relating to invalidity proceedings between R. H. Investment and Mr Lück.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Jörg Lück to pay the costs.