62021TJ0607_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 14 September 2022 –Blueroots Technology v EUIPO – Rezk-Salama and Breitlauch (SKILLTREE STUDIOS)
(Case T‑607/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark SKILLTREE STUDIOS – Absolute grounds for refusal – Lack of descriptive character – Distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – Identification of the subject matter of the dispute – Summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based – Application not sufficiently clear and precise – Inadmissibility
(Statute of the Court of Justice, Arts 21, first para., and 53, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Arts 76(d) and 177(1)(d) and (e))
(see paragraphs 18, 19)
2.
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 paragraphs 34, 35)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraph 54)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Concept of characteristic
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 55, 56)
5.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1), 52, 55 and 76(1))
(see paragraph 62)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark SKILLTREE STUDIOS
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 72, 73, 78, 81, 82, 87)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Blueroots Technology GmbH to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 462, 15.11.2021.