Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 9 September 2020 –  
Daw v EUIPO (SOS Innenfarbe)

(Case T‑625/19)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark SOS Innenfarbe – Absolute grounds for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Descriptiveness – Article 7(1)(c) 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. 23) |

| 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 – Definition  (Regulation of the European Parliament and Council 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 24, 36, 41) |

| 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  (Regulation of the European Parliament and Council 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 25, 26, 31, 32) |

| 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 SOS Innenfarbe  (Regulation of the European Parliament and Council 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 34, 37, 45, 46, 48, 49, 52, 61) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – 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 para. 54) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Refusal of registration based on one of the absolute grounds for refusal set out in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Whether sufficient  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))  (see para. 60) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 18 July 2019 (Case R 277/2019-4), concerning an application for registration of the word sign SOS Innenfarbe as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | The action is dismissed; |

| 2. | Daw SE is ordered to pay the costs. |

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