Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 13 November 2024 –  
Chiquita Brands v EUIPO – Compagnie financière de participation (Representation of a blue and yellow oval)

(Case T‑426/23)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark representing a blue and yellow oval – Absolute ground for invalidity – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – No distinctive character acquired through use – Article 7(3) of Regulation No 40/94 (now Article 7(3) of Regulation 2017/1001))

| 1. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraph 22) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraph 23) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Sign composed of a basic geometric figure  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 28, 29) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Figurative mark representing a blue and yellow oval  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 36, 45, 46, 49, 55) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs of which a trade mark may consist – Colours or combinations of colours – Conditions  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 42-44) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria  (Council Regulation No 40/94)  (see paragraph 50) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of good administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality  (Council Regulation No 40/94)  (see paragraph 51) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(3) and 51(2))  (see paragraphs 62, 64, 65, 78) |

| 9. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Burden of proof  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(3) and 51(2))  (see paragraph 63) |

| 10. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Scope – Trade mark devoid of distinctive character throughout the European Union – Acquisition through use also throughout the European Union  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and (3) and 51(2))  (see paragraphs 66, 67) |

| 11. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Probative value of the evidence  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and (3) and 51(2))  (see paragraphs 68, 69, 73) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Chiquita Brands LLC to pay the costs. |

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