Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 12 January 2022 –  
Neolith Distribution v EUIPO (Representation of an ornamental pattern)

(Case T‑259/21)

(EU trade mark – Application for an EU pattern mark – Representation of an ornamental pattern – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Direction issued to the Office – Not included  (Art. 263 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(6))  (see para. 10) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 16, 17) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Pattern marks applied to the surface of the product – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b); Commission Regulation 2018/626, Art. 3(3)(e))  (see paras 18, 28, 31, 32, 34) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Recognition of the distinctive character of the sign not subject to a finding of a specific level of linguistic or artistic creativity or imaginativeness  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 19) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Pattern mark representing an ornamental pattern  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 20, 21, 29, 35, 36, 38) |

| 6. | 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 No 2017/1001)  (see paras 42-44) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see paras 50, 51) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 12 March 2021 (Case R 2155/2020-4), regarding an application for registration of a pattern sign representing an ornamental pattern as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Neolith Distribution, SL to pay the costs. |

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