Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 9 September 2020 –Daw v EUIPO (SOS Innenfarbe)
(Case T‑625/19)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark SOS Innenfarbe – Absolute grounds for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Descriptiveness – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 23)
2.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Definition
(Regulation of the European Parliament and Council 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 24, 36, 41)
3.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – 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
(Regulation of the European Parliament and Council 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 25, 26, 31, 32)
4.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark SOS Innenfarbe
(Regulation of the European Parliament and Council 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 34, 37, 45, 46, 48, 49, 52, 61)
5.      EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO's previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see para. 54)
6.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Refusal of registration based on one of the absolute grounds for refusal set out in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Whether sufficient
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))
(see para. 60)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 18 July 2019 (Case R 277/2019-4), concerning an application for registration of the word sign SOS Innenfarbe as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
The action is dismissed;
2.
Daw SE is ordered to pay the costs.