62024TJ0276_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 27 November 2024 –Vino Vintana v EUIPO –Torrevento (SINCE 1974 PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA)
(Case T‑276/24)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark SINCE 1974 PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA DENOMINAZIONE DI ORIGINE CONTROLLATA Una antica tradizione familiare – Absolute ground for invalidity – Lack of distinctive character – Article 52(1)(a) and Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 59(1)(a) and Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraph 15)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraph 16)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any 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
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraph 21)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 22-24, 51)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Figurative mark SINCE 1974 PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA DENOMINAZIONE DI ORIGINE CONTROLLATA Una antica tradizione familiare
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 33, 34, 43, 46, 52, 53)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Sign composed of a basic geometric figure
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraph 42)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.