62019TJ0101_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 20 November 2019 –Rezon v EUIPO (imot.bg)
(Case T‑101/19)
(EU trade mark — Application for EU figurative mark imot.bg — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — No distinctive character acquired through use — Article 7(1)(b) and (3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Obligation to state reasons — First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 15-19)
2.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark imot.bg
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (3))
(see paras 22, 24-28, 51)
3.
EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Statement of reasons for decisions — First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 — Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU
(Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)
(see paras 30-32)
4.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (3))
(see para. 46)
5.
Judicial proceedings — Application initiating proceedings — Formal requirements — Identification of the subject matter of the dispute — Brief summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based — Inadmissibility
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 76(1)(d))
(see para. 49)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 9 November 2018 (Case R 999/2018-2) relating to an application for registration of the figurative sign imot.bg as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Rezon OOD to pay the costs.