Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 5 July 2023 –  
Wajos v EUIPO (Shape of a container)

(Case T‑10/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TJ0010_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of a container – Absolute ground for refusal – Sign consisting exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Decision taken following the annulment by the General Court of an earlier decision – Res judicata)

| 1. | Judicial proceedings – Res judicata – Scope  (see paragraph 16) |

| 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Meaning – Interpretation in the light of the public interest underlying each of them  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraphs 19, 35) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Perception of the average consumer – Effect  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraph 20) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Implementation of a judgment annulling a decision adopted by a Board of Appeal – New examination of the appeal  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(6))  (see paragraph 24) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria – EUIPO examination guidelines – Effect  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraph 27) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Meaning – Presence of non-essential characteristics with no technical function – Existence of other shapes allowing the same technical result to be obtained – Not relevant to the ground for refusal  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraphs 36-38, 49) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Identification of the essential characteristics of a sign  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraph 39) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Wajos GmbH to pay the costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TJ0010_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 84, 21.2.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:084:TOC).

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