Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 12 March 2019 –  
Perry Ellis International Group v EUIPO (PRO PLAYER)

(Case T‑220/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark PRO PLAYER — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

| 1. | 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 — Meaning  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 18, 19, 21, 28) |

| 2. | 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 composed of several elements — Taking into account the overall perception of the mark by the relevant public  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 20) |

| 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 — Word mark PRO PLAYER  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 32-35, 43) |

| 4. | 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  (see para. 40) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 24 February 2016 (Case R 1091/2015-2), relating to an application for registration of the word sign PRO PLAYER as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Perry Ellis International Group Holdings Ltd to bear its own costs and to pay the costs incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). |

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