Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 12 July 2019 –  
Gruppo Armonie v EUIPO (mo·da)

(Case T‑264/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU figurative mark mo·da — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Absolute ground for refusal in part of the European Union — Article 7(2) of Regulation 2017/1001 — No distinctive character acquired through use — Article 7(3) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 24, 32) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark mo·da  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 29, 40, 45, 54, 63) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Slogan carrying an objective message  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 33) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Trade mark devoid of distinctive character throughout the EU — Acquisition by use also throughout the EU  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(3))  (see para. 50) |

| 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  (see paras 60, 62) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 20 February 2018 (Case R 2065/2017-5) relating to an application for registration of the figurative sign mo·da as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Gruppo Armonie SpA to pay the costs. |

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