Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 29 March 2023 –  
Perfetti Van Melle v EUIPO (Representation of a cylindrical container with a wavy outline)

(Case T‑199/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TJ0199_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for an EU figurative mark representing a cylindrical container with a wavy outline – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Obligation to state reasons)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 11-13, 22-25, 35) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark consisting of the two-dimensional representation of a product – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 26) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark representing the wavy outline of a cylindrical container  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 27, 36-40) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of good administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1))  (see paragraphs 41, 42) |

| 5. | 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 – Recourse by the Board of Appeal to implicit reasoning – Whether permissible  (Art. 296 TFEU; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(2); European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see paragraphs 47, 48) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Perfetti Van Melle SpA to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TJ0199_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 222, 7.6.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:222:TOC).

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