Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 14 March 2017 —  
Karl Conzelmann v EUIPO (LIKE IT)

(Case T‑21/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for registration of the word mark LIKE IT — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)

| 1. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Concept—Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 16, 17) |

| 2. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Marks constituted of advertising slogans—Distinctive character—Application of specific criteria for assessment—Not permissible  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Marks constituted of advertising slogans—Flattering promotional formula  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 19-22, 34) |

| 4. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Word mark LIKE IT  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 24, 25, 27, 31, 35, 36, 44) |

| 5. | EU trade mark—Decisions of the Office—Principle of equal treatment—Principle of sound administration—EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice—Principle of legality  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see paras 40-42) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 11 November 2015 (Case R 223/2015-1), concerning an application for registration of the word sign LIKE IT as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | Karl Conzelmann GmbH + Co. KG is ordered to pay the costs. |

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