62020TJ0464_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 7 July 2021 –Eggy Food v EUIPO (YOUR DAILY PROTEIN)
(Case T‑464/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for the EU figurative mark YOUR DAILY PROTEIN – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Direction addressed to the Office – precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(6))
(see para. 16)
2.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council 2017/1001, Art. 72(1))
(see para. 19)
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 – Definition
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 31, 32)
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c) and (2))
(see paras 33, 34, 42, 57, 61)
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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria – Composite mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 35, 36)
6.
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 YOUR DAILY PROTEIN
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 39, 40, 43, 44, 46, 47)
7.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)
(see para. 49)
8.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice
(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)
(see paras 50-52)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 8 May 2020 (R 2235/2019-5), concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign YOUR DAILY PROTEIN as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Eggy Food GmbH & Co. KG to pay the costs.