62020TJ0093_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Tenth Chamber) of 24 March 2021 –Albert Darboven Holding v EUIPO (WINDSOR-CASTLE)
(Case T‑93/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark WINDSOR-CASTLE – Absolute ground for refusal – Distinctiveness – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Laudatory character)
1.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Recognition of the distinctive character of the sign not subject to a finding of a certain level of linguistic or artistic creativity or imaginativeness
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 15, 22)
2.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 16, 30)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark WINDSOR-CASTLE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 27, 28, 32, 43, 44)
4.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Power of the General Court to alter the contested decision – Limits
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))
(see para. 48)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 19 December 2019 (Case R 2448/2018-1) relating to an application for registration of the word mark WINDSOR-CASTLE as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the First Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 19 December 2019 (Case R 2448/2018-1);
2.
Orders EUIPO to pay the costs.