Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 9 June 2021 –  
Philip Morris Products v EUIPO (SIENNA SELECTION)

(Case T‑130/20)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark SIENNA SELECTION – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – No distinctive character – Name of a colour – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 31) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Concept  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 32, 34-36, 48) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 33) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Concept of characteristic  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 37, 38, 43, 58) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark SIENNA SELECTION  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))  (see paras 54-56, 59-62, 69-71) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal – Interpretation of the grounds for refusal in the light of the public interest underlying each of them  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))  (see paras 63, 66) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 64, 65, 67, 68) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 18 December 2019 (Case R 1675/2019 5), relating to an application for registration of the word sign SIENNA SELECTION as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 18 December 2019 (Case R 1675/2019-5); |

| 2. | Orders EUIPO to bear its own costs and to pay the costs incurred by Philip Morris Products SA. |

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