62023TJ0255_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 17 April 2024 –Escobar v EUIPO (Pablo Escobar)
(Case T‑255/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark Pablo Escobar – Absolute ground for refusal – Trade mark contrary to public policy and to accepted principles of morality – Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Presumption of innocence)
1.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade marks which are contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality – Examination by reference to the perception of the sign by the relevant public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(f))
(see paragraphs 17, 24)
2.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade marks which are contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality – Taking into account particular circumstances of individual Member States which are likely to influence the perception of the relevant public within those States
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(f))
(see paragraph 18)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade marks which are contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality – Word mark Pablo Escobar
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(f))
(see paragraphs 25-28, 30, 48)
4.
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 29, 35)
5.
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 33)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade marks which are contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality – Criteria for assessment – Taking into account fundamental rights and freedoms – Presumption of innocence
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 48(1); European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, recital 21, Art. 7(1)(f))
(see paragraphs 42-44)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 252, 17.7.2023.