62019TJ0042_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 29 January 2020 –Volkswagen v EUIPO (CROSS)
(Case T‑42/19)
(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark CROSS — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001 — Equal treatment — Obligation to state reasons — Article 94(1)of Regulation 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. 16)
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 — Concept
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 17)
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. 18)
4.
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 reasons for the refusal to register — Scope
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c) and Art. 94(1), first sentence)
(see paras 19-21)
5.
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 — Word mark CROSS
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 23, 26-29, 37-39, 45, 46, 48, 49, 52, 53, 58, 59, 62, 63, 75)
6.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Refusal to register based on one of the absolute grounds of refusal listed in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 — Whether sufficient
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))
(see para. 57)
7.
EU trade mark — Decisions of EUIPO — Legality — Examination by the EU judicature — Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see para. 70)
8.
EU trade mark — Decisions of EUIPO — 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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paras 71-74)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 14 November 2018 (Case R 2500/2017-1), relating to an application for registration of the word sign CROSS as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Volkswagen AG to pay the costs.