Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 9 July 2025 – Spin Master Toys UK v EUIPO – Verdes Innovations (Shape of a cube with faces having a grid structure and differentiated by their colours)
(Case T‑1170/23)
( EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – Three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of a cube with faces having a grid structure and differentiated by their colours – Absolute ground for invalidity – Sign consisting exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 )
1.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Concept – Interpretation in the light of the public interest underlying the ground for invalidity
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(e)(ii) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 22, 23, 35-37, 39)
2.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Identification of the essential characteristics of a sign
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(e)(ii) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 24-30)
3.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Assessment of the essential characteristics in the light of the technical function of the goods
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(e)(ii) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 31-34, 38, 40-46, 123)
4.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Cube with faces having a grid structure and differentiated by their colours
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(e)(ii) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 48-53, 62-77, 86-90, 115-124, 135-140)
5.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Concept of shape – Three-dimensional trade mark in colour – Included
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(e)(ii) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 85, 91-95, 102)
6.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Identification of the goods or services concerned by the trade mark – Obligation on the applicant to specify the goods or services covered by his or her application – Scope
(Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rule 2(2))
(see paragraphs 133, 134)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Spin Master Toys UK Ltd to pay the costs.