Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 5 February 2019 –  
Gruppo Armonie v EUIPO (ARMONIE)

(Case T‑88/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU figurative mark ARMONIE — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 11, 20, 27) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Figurative mark ARMONIE  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 17, 28-34) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Concept — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 21-23) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks constituted of advertising slogans — Laudatory promotional formula  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 24) |

| 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paras 39-42) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Legality — Examination by the EU judicature — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 43) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Assessment of the registrability of a sign — EU rules only taken into account — Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries — Decisions not binding EU bodies  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 46) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 15 December 2017 (Case R 2063/2017-5) concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign ARMONIE as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Gruppo Armonie SpA to pay the costs. |

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