62021TJ0780_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 30 November 2022 –Lila Rossa Lila Engros v EUIPO (LiLAC)
(Case T‑780/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark LiLAC – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 20-22, 24-26)
2.
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 – Aim – Need to preserve availability
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 23)
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 – Figurative mark LiLAC
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraphs 46, 48, 49, 51, 52, 54, 57)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Application for registration of a sign for all the goods or services falling within the same category – Assessment of the descriptiveness of the sign concerning all the goods or services
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paragraph 50)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the goods or services covered by the application for registration – Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register – Scope
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 94(1), first sentence)
(see paragraph 53)
6.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraphs 55, 56)
7.
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 strict and complete examination in each particular case
(see paragraphs 58, 59)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Lila Rossa Engros SRL to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
(
1
)	OJ C 95, 28.2.2022.