Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 26 June 2024 –  
Volvo Personvagnar v EUIPO (Shape of headlights)

(Case T‑260/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0260_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of headlights – Absolute ground for refusal – 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 – Alteration of a decision of EUIPO – Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))  (see paragraph 11) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 15) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 16, 17, 33-36) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Scope – Obligation to prove matters within common knowledge – None – Dispute before the General Court – Submission of documents to demonstrate the accuracy of a well-known fact  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))  (see paragraph 30) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Three-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of automobile headlights  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 37, 42, 44-46) |

| 6. | Judicial proceedings – Costs – Proceedings relating to intellectual property rights – Recoverable costs – Costs necessarily incurred by the parties for the purposes of the proceedings before the Board of Appeal  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 190(2))  (see paragraph 52) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Finds that it is not necessary to adjudicate on the claim put forward by Volvo Personvagnar AB in respect of the confidential treatment of Annexes A.1 and A.3 to the application; |

| 2. | Annuls the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 9 March 2023 (R 1129/2022-5); |

| 3. | Dismisses the action as to the remainder; |

| 4. | Orders EUIPO to pay the costs, including those incurred for the purposes of the proceedings before the Board of Appeal. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0260_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 296, 21.8.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:296:TOC).

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