Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Tenth Chamber) of 24 March 2021 –  
Albert Darboven Holding v EUIPO (WINDSOR-CASTLE)

(Case T‑93/20)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark WINDSOR-CASTLE – Absolute ground for refusal – Distinctiveness – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Laudatory character)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Recognition of the distinctive character of the sign not subject to a finding of a certain level of linguistic or artistic creativity or imaginativeness  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 15, 22) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 16, 30) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark WINDSOR-CASTLE  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 27, 28, 32, 43, 44) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Power of the General Court to alter the contested decision – Limits  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))  (see para. 48) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 19 December 2019 (Case R 2448/2018-1) relating to an application for registration of the word mark WINDSOR-CASTLE as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the First Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 19 December 2019 (Case R 2448/2018-1); |

| 2. | Orders EUIPO to pay the costs. |

[Top](#document1)