62020TJ0294_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 8 December 2021 –Talleres de Escoriaza v EUIPO – Salto Systems (KAAS KEYS AS A SERVICE)
(Case T‑294/20)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark KAAS KEYS AS A SERVICE – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001) – Signs or indications which have become customary – Article 7(1)(d) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(d) of Regulation 2017/1001) – Obligation to state reasons – Right to be heard – Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Not included
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see para. 23)
2.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU
(Art. 296, second para., TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)
(see paras 35, 36)
3.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Decisions of the Office – Observance of the rights of the defence – Scope of the principle
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), second sentence)
(see paras 43, 44)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 56)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – 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 57, 58, 65)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Registration contrary to Article 7 of Regulation No 207/2009 – Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for nullity – Date of lodging the application for registration – Taking into account of evidence subsequent to that date – Whether permissible
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1))
(see paras 60, 61)
7.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark KAAS KEYS AS A SERVICE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 62-64, 72-74, 81, 90)
8.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which have become customary in the current language or in the bona fide and established practices of the trade – Customary character – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(d))
(see paras 98-101)
9.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which have become customary in the current language or in the bona fide and established practices of the trade – Word mark KAAS KEYS AS A SERVICE
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(d) and 52(1)(a))
(see para. 106)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 28 February 2020 (Case R 1363/2019-4), relating to invalidity proceedings between Talleres de Escoriaza and Salto Systems.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Talleres de Escoriaza, SA to pay the costs.