62018TJ0434_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 15 October 2019 –Vans v EUIPO (ULTRARANGE)
(Case T‑434/18)
(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark ULTRARANGE — 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 — Meaning — Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 26-27)
2.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Word mark composed of several elements — Account taken of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 28-29)
3.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Word mark ULTRARANGE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 30-35)
4.
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
(see paras 40, 41)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 25 April 2018 (Case R 2544/2017-2), relating to an application for registration of the word sign ULTRARANGE as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Vans, Inc. to pay the costs.