Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 4 September 2024 –  
Erzeugergemeinschaft Winzersekt v EUIPO – Milz (Hinterland)

(Case T‑470/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0470_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark Hinterland – Absolute ground for invalidity – Distinctive character – No descriptive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 21, 22) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive character of a sign – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 23, 24) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 25) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive character of a sign – Geographical names  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 26-29) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark Hinterland  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 44-46) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(b) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 50-54) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Word mark Hinterland  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(b) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 64-67) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Erzeugergemeinschaft Winzersekt GmbH to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Mr Martin Milz; |

| 3. | Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0470_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 329, 18.9.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:329:TOC).

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