Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 5 February 2025 –  
VistaJet v EUIPO (horizontal red stripe on a silver fuselage)

(Case T‑195/24)

(EU trade mark – Application for an EU trade mark representing a horizontal red stripe on a silver fuselage – Position mark – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 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 14) |

| 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 – Position mark  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 4 and 7(1)(b); Commission Regulation 2018/626, Arts 3(3)(d))  (see paragraphs 15-18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Three-dimensional mark constituted by the shape of the product – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 19, 20) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Mark representing a horizontal red stripe on a silver fuselage  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 21, 22, 26, 28-30) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Sign composed of a basic geometric figure  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 25) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Signs of which a trade mark may consist – Colours or combinations of colours – Conditions  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 4 and 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 27) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – Scope  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1))  (see paragraph 37) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Trade mark made up of several elements – Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark – Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 39, 42) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders VistaJet ltd. and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear their own costs. |

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