62024TJ0410_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 3 September 2025 –SA.PI.SE v EUIPO – Riso Gallo (VENERE)
(Case T-410/24)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark VENERE – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 – Lack of distinctive character – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation No 207/2009)
1.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Facts and evidence not submitted in due time – Account taken – Discretion of EUIPO
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(4))
(see paragraphs 19-21)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 52, 55)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – 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
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraph 53)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark VENERE
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 56-60, 68)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Refusal of registration based on one of the absolute grounds for refusal set out in Article 7(1) of Regulation No 207/2009 – Whether sufficient
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1))
(see paragraph 72)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Sardo Piemontese Sementi Soc. coop. – Soc. agr. (SA.PI.SE.Coop.agr.) to pay the costs.