Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 6 April 2022 –  
Funline International v EUIPO (AMSTERDAM POPPERS)

(Case T‑680/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0680_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark AMSTERDAM POPPERS – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade mark contrary to public policy – Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Distinctive character acquired through use – Article 7(3) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Persons entitled to appeal and to be parties to the proceedings – Persons whose claims are not upheld by a decision – Decision in part upholding and in part rejecting the application for registration of a mark due to the descriptive and non-distinctive character of the goods and services covered – No interest in bringing proceedings – Inadmissibility  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(4))  (see paras 16, 17) |

| 2. | Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – Identification of the subject matter of the dispute – Summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based – Pleas in law not set out in the application – General reference to other documents – Inadmissibility  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))  (see para. 21) |

| 3. | 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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Geographical names  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 27-32, 46) |

| 4. | 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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria – Composite mark – Taking into account the overall perception of the mark by the relevant public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 34, 41, 42) |

| 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 – Word mark AMSTERDAM POPPERS  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 44, 47-51) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Scope – Obligation to prove matters within common knowledge – No obligation  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))  (see para. 45) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Funline International to pay the costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0680_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 502, 13.12.2021](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:502:TOC).

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