Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 31 May 2018 –  
Nosio v EUIPO (MEZZA)

(Case T‑314/17)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark MEZZA — Absolute grounds for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001) — Restriction of goods — Article 43(1) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 49(1) of Regulation 2017/1001) — Obligation to state reasons — Right to be heard — Article 75 of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001))

| 1. | EU trade mark—Appeals procedure—Action before the EU judicature—Jurisdiction of the General Court—Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it—Not included  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65)  (see para. 14) |

| 2. | EU trade mark—Procedural provisions—Statement of reasons for decisions—Article 75, first sentence, of Regulation No 207/2009—Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU  (Art. 296 TFEU; Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 75, first sentence)  (see para. 20) |

| 3. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Separate examination of the grounds for refusal in relation to each of the goods or services covered by the application for registration—Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register—Scope  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1) and 75, first sentence)  (see para. 21) |

| 4. | EU trade mark—Procedural provisions—Decisions of the Office—Observance of the rights of the defence—Scope of the principle  (Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(2)(a); Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 75, second sentence)  (see para. 27) |

| 5. | EU trade mark—Registration procedure—Withdrawal, restriction and amendment of the trade mark application—Application to restrict the list of goods or services—Procedures—Requirement of clarity  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 4 and 43(1); Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rule 13)  (see paras 33-35) |

| 6. | 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—Aim—Need to preserve availability  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 43) |

| 7. | 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 44, 45, 54) |

| 8. | 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 46, 47) |

| 9. | 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 MEZZA  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 50, 55, 57) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 1 March 2017 (Case R 1518/2016-5) concerning an application for registration of the word sign MEZZA as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Nosio SpA to pay the costs. |

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