62020TJ0323_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 21 April 2021 –Hell Energy Magyarország v EUIPO (HELL)
(Case T‑323/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark HELL – 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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 22, 24-26, 30)
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 of characteristic
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 23)
3.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of the EUIPO’s own motion – Scope – Obligation to prove matters within common knowledge – None
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))
(see para. 27)
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 – Aim – Need to preserve availability
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 28)
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 HELL
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 32, 45, 50)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal – Interpretation of the grounds for refusal in the light of the public interest underlying each of them
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))
(see paras 54-56)
7.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 58, 59)
8.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark HELL
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 62-65)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 25 March 2020 (Case R 1712/2019-2), concerning an application for registration of the word sign HELL as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 25 March 2020 (Case R 1712/2019-2);
2.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.