62019TO0307_INF
Order of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 2 April 2020 –SQlab v EUIPO (Innerbarend)
(Case T‑307/19)
(Action for annulment — EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark Innerbarend — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) 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 — Aim — Need to preserve availability
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 13)
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 — Definition
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 14, 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 — Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign — Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 16-18, 24, 27, 31)
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 — Word mark Innerbarend
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 28, 29, 34, 37, 40)
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 — Decisions of national authorities not binding EU bodies
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see para. 32)
6.
EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see para. 33)
7.
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 — Definition — Sign that is descriptive of a characteristic of a component in a product — Included
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 36)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 18 March 2019 (Case R 2180/2018-4) relating to an application for registration of the word sign Innerbarend as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
1.
The action is dismissed.
2.
SQlab GmbH shall pay the costs.