62021TJ0003_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 6 October 2021 –Power Horse Energy Drinks v EUIPO – Robot Energy Europe (UNSTOPPABLE)
(Case T‑3/21)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark UNSTOPPABLE – Absolute grounds for refusal – Distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Lack of descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b), and 52(1)(a))
(see paras 18-20)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Application of specific criteria for assessment – Not permissible
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b), and 52(1)(a))
(see paras 21, 22)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Laudatory promotional formula
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b), and 52(1)(a))
(see para. 23)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Slogan conveying an objective message
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b), and 52(1)(a))
(see para. 24)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark UNSTOPPABLE
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b), and 52(1)(a))
(see paras 27, 28, 36, 42, 44)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Concept
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))
(see paras 50, 61)
7.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – 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
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))
(see para. 51)
8.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark UNSTOPPABLE
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))
(see paras 57, 58, 64, 65)
9.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Concept of characteristic
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))
(see paras 62, 63)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 6 October 2020 (Case R 232/2020-2), relating to invalidity proceedings between Power Horse Energy Drinks and Robot Energy Europe.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Power Horse Energy Drinks GmbH to pay the costs.