Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 8 May 2019 –  
Getsmarter Online v EUIPO (getsmarter)

(Case T‑473/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU figurative mark getsmarter — Mark consisting of an advertising slogan — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) — No distinctive character acquired through use — Article 7(3) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 7(3) of Regulation 2017/1001) — Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 18, 19) |

| 2. | 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 20, 28-30) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Distinctive character — Application of specific criteria for assessment — Not permissible  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 21, 22) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Slogan displaying imaginativeness  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 23) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Laudatory promotional formula  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 24) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Figurative mark getsmarter  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 27, 34-38) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Use before the date of filing the application for registration  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(3))  (see para. 50) |

| 8. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(3))  (see paras 51-56) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 10 May 2018 (Case R 2632/2017-1), relating to an application for registration of the figurative sign getsmarter as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | Getsmarter Online Ltd shall pay the costs. |

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