Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 15 September 2017 — sheepworld v EUIPO (Beste Oma)

(Case T‑421/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark Beste Oma — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)

| 1. | 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 19, 20) |

| 2. | 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—Distinctive character—Application of specific criteria for assessment—Not permissible  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 21-23) |

| 3. | 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—Flattering promotional formula  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 24, 26) |

| 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—Slogan with a fantasy character  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 25) |

| 5. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Word mark Beste Oma  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 28-32) |

| 6. | 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  (see para. 46) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 13 May 2016 (Case R 91/2016-4) concerning an application for registration of the word sign Beste Oma as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders sheepworld AG to pay the costs. |

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