Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 28 November 2017 — adp Gauselmann v EUIPO (Juwel)

(Case T‑31/16)

(European Union trade mark — Application for EU word mark Juwel — Absolute ground 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))

| 1. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Assessment of distinctive character—Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 17, 18, 38) |

| 2. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Word mark Juwel  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 20-22, 28, 43) |

| 3. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Marks constituted of advertising slogans—Flattering promotional formula  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 40) |

| 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see paras 47-49) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 16 November 2015 (Case R 2571/2014-1) concerning an application for registration of word mark Juwel as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders adp Gauselmann GmbH to pay the costs. |

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