62023TJ1121_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 5 March 2025 –Summerbird v EUIPO – Puratos (AMBER)
(Case T‑1121/23)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark AMBER – Absolute ground for invalidity – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Not included
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see paragraph 14)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – 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, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 23, 25, 27, 51)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – 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, Ars. 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))
(see paragraph 24)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept of characteristic
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 26, 28)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Registration contrary to Article 7 of Regulation 2017/1001 – Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for invalidity – Date of filing of the application for registration
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))
(see paragraph 35)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods – Word mark AMBER
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 45-49, 52, 53)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Summerbird A/S to pay the costs.