62022TJ0324_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 13 September 2023 –Ecoalf Recycled Fabrics v EUIPO (BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLANET B)
(Case T‑324/22) (
1
)
(European Union trade mark – Application for the European Union word mark BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLANET B – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Obligation to state reasons – Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Equal treatment)
1.
Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – 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 annexed to the application – Inadmissibility
(Statute of the Court of Justice, Arts 21, first para. and 53, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))
(see paragraph 10)
2.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU
(Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)
(see paragraph 17)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character –Meaning – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 29-32, 38)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Application of specific criteria for assessment – Not permissible
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paragraph 35)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 36, 37)
6.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Scope – Obligation to prove matters within common knowledge – None – Dispute before the General Court – Submission of documents to demonstrate the accuracy of a well-known fact
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))
(see paragraphs 42, 43)
7.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLANET B
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 45-49, 53, 54, 58, 60)
8.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of good 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 50, 57, 65-67, 72)
9.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraphs 68, 70)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Ecoalf Recycled Fabrics, SL to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 284, 25.7.2022.