62024TJ0497_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 10 September 2025 –Telefónica Germany v EUIPO (LOOP)
(Case T‑497/24)
(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark LOOP – Absolute grounds for refusal – Distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Objective characteristics inherent in the nature of the goods and services – Sufficiently direct and specific relationship – Decision taken following the annulment by the General Court of an earlier decision – Res judicata – Article 266 TFEU – Article 72(6) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Power of the General Court to alter decisions)
1.
Judicial proceedings – Res judicata – Scope
(see paragraph 18)
2.
Action for annulment – Judgment annulling a measure – Effects – Obligation to adopt compliance measures – Scope – Both the operative part and the grounds of the judgment to be taken into account
(Art. 266 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(6))
(see paragraphs 20, 22)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark LOOP
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 47-49, 53, 59, 61, 65, 69)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 57)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – 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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 72, 73)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 79-82, 85)
7.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Word mark LOOP
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 86, 89-91, 93)
8.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Power of the General Court to alter the contested decision – Limits
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))
(see paragraph 97)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the Office for Intellectual Property of the European Union (EUIPO) of 30 July 2024 (Case R 2469/2023-5);
2.
Upholds the appeal brought by Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG before that Board of Appeal;
3.
Orders EUIPO to pay the costs, including those incurred by Telefónica Germany before the Board of Appeal.