62024TO0205_INF
Order of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 7 April 2025 –Skechers USA v EUIPO (JUST STEP IN)
(Case T‑205/24)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark JUST STEP IN – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Obligation to state reasons – Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Equal treatment – Principle of good administration – Articles 20 and 41 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)
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 15, 16)
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 17, 28, 29)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Refusal to register on an absolute ground of refusal existing in only part of the European Union
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(2))
(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 – Sign capable of having several meanings – Refusal of registration given the descriptive character of at least one of the potential meanings
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 32)
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 –Word mark JUST STEP IN
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 35, 40-47, 50, 51)
6.
EU trade mark – Euipo Decisions – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of good 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 48, 63)
7.
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 49)
8.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Refusal of registration based on one of the absolute grounds for refusal set out in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Whether sufficient
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))
(see paragraph 56)
Operative part
1.
The action is dismissed.
2.
The parties shall each bear their own costs.