62019TJ0607_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 15 October 2020 –Itinerant Show Room v EUIPO (FAKE DUCK)
(Case T‑607/19)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark FAKE DUCK – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Principles of equal treatment and legality)
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 – Assessment of the descriptive character 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 31-37, 39, 40)
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 – Definition – Mark composed of a word or neologism resulting from a combination of elements
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 38)
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 – Figurative mark FAKE DUCK
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 41-43, 48, 51, 52, 56, 57, 61-66)
4.
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paras 74-78)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 1 July 2019 (Case R 830/2019-2) concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign FAKE DUCK as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Itinerant Show Room Srl to pay the costs.