Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 9 July 2021 –  
Kozhuvchanka uvoz-izvoz Kavadarci v EUIPO (NASHE MAKEDONSKO PILSNER BEER MACEDONIAN PREMIUM BEER)

(Case T‑357/20)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU figurative mark NASHE MAKEDONSKO PILSNER BEER MACEDONIAN PREMIUM BEER – Absolute ground for refusal – Descriptiveness – Geographical origin – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Direction addressed to the Office – Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(6))  (see para. 13) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Alteration of a decision of the Office – Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 66(1), 71(1) and 72(3))  (see paras 15-17) |

| 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 – Definition  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 21, 22, 50) |

| 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 23, 47, 53) |

| 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 – Figurative mark NASHE MAKEDONSKO PILSNER BEER MACEDONIAN PREMIUM BEER  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 33-35, 46, 48, 56, 57) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)  (see para. 61) |

| 7. | 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 strict and complete examination in each particular case  (see paras 62, 63) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 2 April 2020 (Case R 1729/2019-1), relating to an application for registration of the figurative sign NASHE MAKEDONSKO PILSNER BEER MACEDONIAN PREMIUM BEER as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | Drushtvo za proizvodvsto, trgovija i uslugi Kozhuvchanka d.o.o. uvoz-izvoz Kavadarci shall bear its own costs and pay those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). |

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