Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 17 April 2024 –  
Escobar v EUIPO (Pablo Escobar)

(Case T‑255/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0255_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark Pablo Escobar – Absolute ground for refusal – Trade mark contrary to public policy and to accepted principles of morality – Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Presumption of innocence)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade marks which are contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality – Examination by reference to the perception of the sign by the relevant public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(f))  (see paragraphs 17, 24) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade marks which are contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality – Taking into account particular circumstances of individual Member States which are likely to influence the perception of the relevant public within those States  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(f))  (see paragraph 18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade marks which are contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality – Word mark Pablo Escobar  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(f))  (see paragraphs 25-28, 30, 48) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound 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)  (see paragraphs 29, 35) |

| 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  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see paragraph 33) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade marks which are contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality – Criteria for assessment – Taking into account fundamental rights and freedoms – Presumption of innocence  (Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 48(1); European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, recital 21, Art. 7(1)(f))  (see paragraphs 42-44) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders each party to bear its own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0255_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 252, 17.7.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:252:TOC).

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