62022TO0482_INF
Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 31 March 2023 –Thomas Henry v EUIPO (MATE MATE)
(Case T‑482/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark MATE MATE – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Lack of distinctive character – Misleading character – Article 7(1)(b),(c) and (g) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)
1.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Concept
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 14)
2.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 15)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Sign capable of bearing multiple meanings – Refusal to register where descriptiveness of at least one of the potential meanings exists
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 21)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 24)
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 27)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark MATE MATE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 29, 30, 43, 45-47)
7.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character of a sign – Circumstance necessarily implying absence of distinctive character of the sign
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))
(see paragraph 51)
8.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks of such a nature as to deceive the public – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(g))
(see paragraphs 56-58, 64)
9.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks of such a nature as to deceive the public – Word mark MATE MATE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(g))
(see paragraphs 61-63)
Operative part
1.
The action is dismissed.
2.
Each party shall bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 359, 19.9.2022.