Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 20 September 2019 –  
Reaktor Group v EUIPO (REAKTOR)

(Case T‑650/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark REAKTOR — Absolute grounds for refusal — Lack of descriptive character — Distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Direct and specific relationship with the goods and services covered by the trade mark application)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — Alteration of a decision of the Office — Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 66(1) and 71(1))  (see paras 14, 15) |

| 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 21, 22) |

| 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 — Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 23) |

| 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 — Word mark REAKTOR  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 28-32, 38, 39, 50, 52) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the products or services covered by the application for registration — Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register — Scope  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 94, first sentence)  (see paras 36, 37) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 27 August 2018 (Case R 2626/2017-2), relating to an application for registration of the word sign REAKTOR as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 27 August 2018 (Case R 2626/2017-2) in so far as, by that decision, the Board of Appeal dismissed the applicant’s action on the basis of Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation 2017/1001; |

| 2. | Orders EUIPO to pay the costs, including the unavoidable costs incurred by Reaktor Group Oy for the purposes of the proceedings before the Board of Appeal. |

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