Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 14 September 2022 –  
Refractory Intellectual Property v EUIPO (e-tech)

(Case T‑737/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0737_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark e-tech – 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 12, 13) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 14) |

| 3. | 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 18) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark e-tech  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 28-33) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG to pay the costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0737_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 37, 24.1.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:037:TOC).

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