Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 2 April 2020 –  
Isigny — Sainte Mère v EUIPO (Shape of a golden container with a type of wave)

(Case T‑546/19)

(EU trade mark — Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark — Shape of a golden container with a type of wave — Absolute ground for refusal — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Lack of distinctive character)

| 1. | 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 paras 20, 21) |

| 2. | 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 para. 22) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 23, 24, 26-29) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Three-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of a golden container with a type of wave  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 25, 37-48) |

| 5. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paras 52-56) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Statement of reasons for decisions — First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation No 2017/1001 — Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU — Recourse by the Board of Appeal to implicit reasoning — Whether permissible — Conditions  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see paras 59-61) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 22 May 2019 (Case R 1513/2018-5), concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign comprising the shape of a golden container with a type of wave as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Isigny-Sainte Mère to pay the costs. |

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