Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 13 December 2018 –  
Multifit v EUIPO (fit+fun)

(Case T‑94/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark fit+fun — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctiveness — 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 No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 13, 14, 54) |

| 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 15) |

| 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 16, 17) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark fit+fun  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 24, 28, 30) |

| 5. | 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 carrying an objective message  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 27) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal — Overlap of the scope of the grounds set out in Articles 7(1)(b) and 7(1)(d) of Regulation No 2017/1001  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) to (d))  (see para. 34) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Sign without descriptive character — Fact not necessarily implying the distinctive character of the sign  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))  (see para. 35) |

| 8. | 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 No 2017/1001)  (see paras 37-41) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 7 December 2017 (Case R 847/2017-1) concerning the registration of the word mark fit+fun as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Multifit Tiernahrungs GmbH to pay the costs. |

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