62019TJ0546_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 2 April 2020 –Isigny — Sainte Mère v EUIPO (Shape of a golden container with a type of wave)
(Case T‑546/19)
(EU trade mark — Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark — Shape of a golden container with a type of wave — Absolute ground for refusal — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Lack of distinctive character)
1.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 20, 21)
2.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Trade mark made up of several elements — Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark — Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see para. 22)
3.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 23, 24, 26-29)
4.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Three-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of a golden container with a type of wave
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 25, 37-48)
5.
EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — 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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paras 52-56)
6.
EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Statement of reasons for decisions — First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation No 2017/1001 — Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU — Recourse by the Board of Appeal to implicit reasoning — Whether permissible — Conditions
(Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)
(see paras 59-61)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 22 May 2019 (Case R 1513/2018-5), concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign comprising the shape of a golden container with a type of wave as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Isigny-Sainte Mère to pay the costs.