62020TJ0183_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 2 June 2021 –Schneider v EUIPO – Raths (Teslaplatte)
(Case T‑183/20)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark Teslaplatte – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
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 – Concept
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 17, 18)
2.
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 – Criteria
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 19, 40)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Relevant date for the examination of an application for a declaration of invalidity – Date on which the application for registration of the contested mark was filed
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))
(see para. 20)
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 – Word mark Teslaplatte
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 29, 39, 41, 42, 45, 49)
5.
Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Assessment of the registrability of a sign – EU rules only taken into account – Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries – Decisions not binding EU bodies
(Council Regulation 207/2009)
(see para. 51)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 15 January 2020 (Case R 247/2019-2), relating to invalidity proceedings between Mr Raths and Mr Schneider.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Christian Schneider to pay the costs.