Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 25 March 2026 – Maresma Bernal v EUIPO (Brief Therapy Center BARCELONA)
(Case T‑411/25)
( EU trade mark – Application for the EU figurative mark Brief Therapy Center BARCELONA – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Lack of distinctive 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 consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 13)
2.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive character of a sign – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 14)
3.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Figurative mark Brief Therapy Center BARCELONA
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 19, 24, 25, 30)
4.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Perception of the sign by the relevant public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 21)
5.      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 stringent and full examination in each individual case
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraphs 27, 28)
6.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Refusal of registration based on one of the absolute grounds for refusal set out in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Whether sufficient
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))
(see paragraphs 33, 34)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Ms Raquel Maresma Bernal and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to each bear their own costs.