Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 6 September 2023 –  
Allegro v EUIPO (SMART!)

(Case T‑658/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TJ0658_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark SMART! – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Definition – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 13, 14) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Application of specific criteria for assessment – Not permissible  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 15, 16) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 17, 18) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Trade mark made up of several elements – Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark – Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 24) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark SMART!  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 25-30, 32, 39, 40) |

| 6. | 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 No 2017/1001)  (see paragraphs 46-48) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

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

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TJ0658_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 482, 19.12.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:482:TOC).

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