Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Single Judge) of 12 June 2024 –  
Katjes Fassin v EUIPO (Beyond Chocolate)

(Case T‑343/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0343_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark Beyond Chocolate – 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 – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 11) |

| 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 12) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Application of specific criteria for assessment – Not permissible  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 14) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 15, 16) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Word mark Beyond Chocolate  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 18, 22, 23, 39) |

| 6. | 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 43-45) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders the applicant to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0343_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 278, 7.8.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:278:TOC).

[Top](#document1)