62023TJ0170_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 12 June 2024 –Amstel Brouwerij v EUIPO – Anheuser-Busch (ULTRA)
(Case T‑170/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark ULTRA – Absolute ground for invalidity – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – EUIPO’s Guidelines for examination)
1.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided – Well-known facts taken into account
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7, 59 and 95(1))
(see paragraphs 17-19)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 32, 33)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraph 34)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 36, 37)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Registration contrary to Article 7 of Regulation No 40/94 – Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for invalidity – Date of filing of the application for registration
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 39, 45)
6.
EU trade mark – Proceedings before the EUIPO authorities – Directives of the EUIPO – Scope
(see paragraph 41)
7.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – ULTRA Figurative mark ULTRA
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 49, 50, 55, 57, 58)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 24 January 2023 (Case R 2088/2021-5);
2.
Orders EUIPO to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Amstel Brouwerij BV;
3.
Orders Anheuser-Busch LLC to pay its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 179, 22.5.2023.