Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 10 January 2019 –  
achtung ! v EUIPO (achtung !)

(Case T‑832/17)

(EU trade mark — International registration designating the European Union — Figurative mark achtung! — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — Amendment of a decision by the Office — Assessment having regard to the competences conferred on the Board of Appeal  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))  (see paras 10, 11) |

| 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 — Slogan carrying an objective message  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 16-21) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria — Perception of the trade mark by the relevant public — Attention level of the public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 26, 27) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marque figurative achtung !  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 35-38, 50-52) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Concept  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))  (see para. 41) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the products or services covered by the application for registration — Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register — Scope  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(b) and 94(1), 1st sentence)  (see paras 56-60, 62, 63) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO's previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 69) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 23 October 2017 (Case R 490/2017-4), relating to the international registration designating the European Union in respect of the figurative mark achtung!.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders achtung! GmbH to pay the costs. |

[Top](#document1)