Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 29 January 2020 –  
Volkswagen v EUIPO (CROSS)

(Case T‑42/19)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark CROSS — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001 — Equal treatment — Obligation to state reasons — Article 94(1)of Regulation 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. 16) |

| 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 para. 17) |

| 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. 18) |

| 4. | 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 reasons for the refusal to register — Scope  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c) and Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see paras 19-21) |

| 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 CROSS  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 23, 26-29, 37-39, 45, 46, 48, 49, 52, 53, 58, 59, 62, 63, 75) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Refusal to register based on one of the absolute grounds of refusal listed in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 — Whether sufficient  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))  (see para. 57) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Decisions of EUIPO — Legality — Examination by the EU judicature — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 70) |

| 8. | EU trade mark — Decisions of EUIPO — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO's previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paras 71-74) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 14 November 2018 (Case R 2500/2017-1), relating to an application for registration of the word sign CROSS as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Volkswagen AG to pay the costs. |

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