Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 24 September 2019 –  
Zhadanov v EUIPO (PDF Expert)

(Case T‑404/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark PDF Expert — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character acquired through use — Article 7(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) to (d) and (3))  (see paras 12-17, 25, 26, 40) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character not acquired through use — Word mark PDF Expert  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(3))  (see paras 19, 23, 27-31, 39, 41) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Probative value of the evidence — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(3))  (see para. 33) |

Re:

Action against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 18 April 2018 (Case R 1813/2017-2), relating to an application for registration of the sign PDF Expert as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Igor Zhadanov to pay the costs. |

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