Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 25 November 2020 –Kerangus v EUIPO (ΑΠΛΑ!)
(Case T‑882/19)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark ΑΠΛΑ! – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Equal treatment)
1.      EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Direction issued to the Office – Precluded
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65(6))
(see para. 24)
2.      EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Amendment of a decision of the Office – Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65(3))
(see para. 25)
3.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Meaning – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 37, 38)
4.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark ΑΠΛΑ!
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 44-48, 53, 54)
5.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the products or services covered by the application for registration – Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register – Scope
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1) and 75, first sentence)
(see paras 49, 50, 52)
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 No 207/2009 – Whether sufficient
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1))
(see para. 56)
7.      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
(see paras 63-65)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 25 October 2019 (Case R 1035/2017-1), concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign ΑΠΛΑ! as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Kerangus Holdings Ltd to pay the costs.