Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 9 September 2015 — Verein StHD v OHIM (Representation of a black ribbon)
(Case T‑530/14)
Community trade mark — Application for Community figurative mark representing a black ribbon — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009
1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 14, 15)
2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Figurative mark representing a black ribbon (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 16-18, 21-24, 29, 34)
3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Signs of which a trade mark may consist — Colours or combinations of colours — Condition — Distinctive character — Account to be taken of the public interest in not unduly restricting the availability of colours (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 31, 32)
Re:
ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of OHIM of 5 May 2014 (Case R 1940/2013-4), concerning an application for registration of a figurative sign representing a black ribbon as a Community trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Verein Sterbehilfe Deutschland (Verein StHD) to pay the costs.