62020TJ0527_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 14 July 2021 –Aldi v EUIPO (CUCINA)
(Case T‑527/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for the EU figurative mark CUCINA – Absolute grounds for refusal – No distinctive character – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 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. 18)
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 – Meaning
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 19)
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 20)
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 – Figurative mark CUCINA
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 22-26)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Overlap of the scope of the grounds set out in Article 7(1)(b) and Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))
(see para. 30)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 19 June 2020 (Case R 463/2020-2), concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign CUCINA as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Aldi GmbH & Co. KG to pay the costs.