Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 8 May 2024 –  
Tiendanimal v EUIPO (CRIADORES)

(Case T‑314/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0314_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU figurative mark CRIADORES – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Equal treatment – Principle of legality – Principle of good administration – Legitimate expectation)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – 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, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 15) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – 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 – Composite mark  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 16-19, 38) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Figurative mark CRIADORES  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 24, 25, 27-29, 32, 40) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Refusal of registration based on one of the absolute grounds for refusal listed in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Whether sufficient  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))  (see paragraph 47) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of good 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 53-55) |

| 6. | EU law – Principles – Protection of legitimate expectations – Conditions – Specific assurances given by the authorities – Concept  (see paragraph 59) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders each party to bear its own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0314_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 261, 24.7.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:261:TOC).

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