Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 30 March 2022 –  
Perry Street Software v EUIPO – Toolstream (SCRUFFS)

(Case T‑720/20) (
[1](#t-ECR_62020TJ0720_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – International registration designating the European Union – Word mark SCRUFFS – Absolute grounds for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Descriptiveness – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001))

| 1. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))  (see para. 20) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Meaning  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))  (see paras 21-23) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))  (see para. 24) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark SCRUFFS  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))  (see para. 32) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of the Office’s own motion – Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1), 52, 55 and 76(1))  (see paras 35, 36) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Registration contrary to Article 7 – Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for invalidity – Date of filing of the application for registration  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7 and 52(1)(a))  (see para. 38) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Perry Street Software, Inc. to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62020TJ0720_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 44, 8.2.2021](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:044:TOC).

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