Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 15 April 2024 –  
Japan Tobacco v EUIPO – Dunhill Tobacco of London (FLOW FILTER)

(Case T‑20/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TO0020_01_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark FLOW FILTER – Absolute grounds for refusal – Distinctive character – Lack of descriptive character – Lack of customary character – Article 7(1)(b), (c) and (d) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))  (see paragraph 16) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraph 20) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraph 21) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive character of a sign – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraph 22) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO's previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraphs 30, 31) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Figurative mark FLOW FILTER  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraph 45) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(b) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraph 53) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Figurative mark FLOW FILTER  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(b) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraph 58) |

| 9. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which have become customary in everyday language or commerce – Customary character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(d) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 63-65) |

| 10. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which have become customary in everyday language or commerce – Figurative mark FLOW FILTER  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(d) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraph 70) |

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | Japan Tobacco, Inc. shall bear its own costs and pay those incurred by Dunhill Tobacco of London Ltd. |

| 3. | The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) shall bear its own costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TO0020_01_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 83, 6.3.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:083:TOC).

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