62021TJ0680_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 6 April 2022 –Funline International v EUIPO (AMSTERDAM POPPERS)
(Case T‑680/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark AMSTERDAM POPPERS – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade mark contrary to public policy – Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Distinctive character acquired through use – Article 7(3) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Persons entitled to appeal and to be parties to the proceedings – Persons whose claims are not upheld by a decision – Decision in part upholding and in part rejecting the application for registration of a mark due to the descriptive and non-distinctive character of the goods and services covered – No interest in bringing proceedings – Inadmissibility
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(4))
(see paras 16, 17)
2.
Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – Identification of the subject matter of the dispute – Summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based – Pleas in law not set out in the application – General reference to other documents – Inadmissibility
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))
(see para. 21)
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 – Geographical names
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 27-32, 46)
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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria – Composite mark – Taking into account the overall perception of the mark by the relevant public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 34, 41, 42)
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 AMSTERDAM POPPERS
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 44, 47-51)
6.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Scope – Obligation to prove matters within common knowledge – No obligation
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))
(see para. 45)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Funline International to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 502, 13.12.2021.