62020TJ0341_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 10 February 2021 –EAB v EUIPO (RADIOSHUTTLE)
(Case T‑341/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark RADIOSHUTTLE – Absolute ground for refusal – Not distinctive – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Restriction of the goods designated in the trade mark application)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Restriction of the list of goods and services after the decision of the Board of Appeal – Consequences
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 49(1))
(see paras 21-24)
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 – Perception of the trade mark by the relevant public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 30, 31, 33, 35)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Trade mark made up of several elements – Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark – Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see para. 42)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark RADIOSHUTTLE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 43-52)
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 – Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries – Decisions not binding EU bodies
(see para. 53)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 23 March 2020 (Case R 1428/2019-1) regarding an application for registration of the word mark RADIOSHUTTLE as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders EAB AB to pay the costs.