62020TJ0081_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 9 September 2020 –Klose v EUIPO (Representation of three coloured segments in a rectangle)
(Case T‑81/20)
(EU trade mark – Application for an EU figurative mark representing three coloured segments in a rectangle – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Definition
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 11, 12)
2.
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 13, 34)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Definition – Criteria for assessment – Recognition of the distinctiveness of the sign not subject to a finding of a certain level of creativity or linguistic or artistic imagination
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see para. 27)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Representation of three coloured segments in a rectangle
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 28, 29, 36)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Assessment of the registrability of a sign – EU rules only taken into account – Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries – Decisions not binding EU bodies
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see para. 38)
6.
EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see para. 40)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 12 December 2019 (Case R 1955/2019-2), concerning an application for registration of a figurative sign representing three coloured segments in a rectangle as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Ms Anne-Marie Klose to pay the costs.