62020TJ0702_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Single Judge) of 15 September 2021 –Beelow v EUIPO (made of wood)
(Case T‑702/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark made of wood – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Re-examination of the facts in the light of evidence not previously submitted before EUIPO bodies – Precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see para. 14)
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 – Word mark made of wood
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 26, 27, 30, 31, 35, 47, 51, 53)
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 – Concept
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see paras 29, 37, 38, 50, 52)
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 – Aim – Need to preserve availability
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))
(see para. 36)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Overlap of the scope of the grounds set out in Article 7(1)(b) and Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/7(1)(b) and 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))
(see paras 60, 61)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 14 September 2020 (Case R 108/2020-2), concerning an application for registration of the word sign made of wood as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Timo Beelow to pay the costs.