62021TJ0786_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 6 September 2023 –Team Beverage v EUIPO (TEAM BUSINESS IT DATEN – PROZESSE – SYSTEME)
(Case T‑786/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark TEAM BUSINESS IT DATEN – PROZESSE – SYSTEME – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
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 paragraphs 16, 17)
2.
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 18-20, 46, 59, 60)
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 – Figurative mark TEAM BUSINESS IT DATEN – PROZESSE – SYSTEME
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 42, 53, 62)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Separate examination of the grounds for refusal in relation to each of the goods or services covered by the application for registration – Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register – Scope
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 94(1), first sentence)
(see paragraph 47)
5.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 66)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – 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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 69)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Team Beverage AG to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 73, 14.2.2022.