Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 28 June 2019 –  
Gibson Brands v EUIPO — Wilfer (Shape of a guitar body)

(Case T‑340/18)

(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU three-dimensional mark — Shape of a guitar body — Absolute ground for refusal — Distinctive character — Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 59(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) — Distinctive character acquired through use — Article 52(2) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 59(2) of Regulation 2017/1001))

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 27, 28) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 29) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 30-32) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Three-dimensional mark — Shape of a guitar body  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b) and 52(1)(a))  (see paras 39-41, 49, 50, 52) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(3) and 52(2))  (see paras 62, 63, 75) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 8 March 2018 (Case R 415/2017-2), relating to invalidity proceedings between Mr Wilfer and Gibson Brands.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Gibson Brands, Inc. to pay the costs. |

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