Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 6 September 2023 –  
Groz-Beckert v EUIPO (Position of the colours white, red and dark green on cuboid packaging)

(Case T‑276/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TJ0276_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU trade mark consisting in the application of the colours white, red and dark green to cuboid packaging – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Article 95(1) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)  (see paragraph 10) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 17, 23, 36, 55) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Signs of which a trade mark may consist – Colours or combinations of colours – Condition – Distinctive character – Account to be taken of the public interest in not unduly restricting the availability of colours  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 18-22) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks constituted by a colour or combination of colours  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 26) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Mark consisting in the application of the colours white, red and dark green to cuboid packaging  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 27-34) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraphs 44, 45) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Registration of a new trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Burden of proof  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 95(1))  (see paragraphs 50, 51, 53) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Groz‑Beckert KG to pay the costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TJ0276_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 257, 4.7.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:257:TOC).

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