Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 11 September 2019 –  
ruwido austria v EUIPO (transparent pairing)

(Case T‑649/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark transparent pairing — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) 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 — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Meaning  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 19) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 20) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Distinctive character — Application of specific criteria for assessment — Not permissible  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 21, 22) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Laudatory promotional formula  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 23) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Word mark transparent pairing  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 28, 36-38) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Slogan carrying an objective message  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 35) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Statement of reasons for decisions — First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation No 2017/1001 — Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see para. 41) |

| 8. | EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion — Registration of a new trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Burden of proof  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))  (see para. 46) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 30 August 2018 (Case R 2487/2017-2), relating to an application for registration of the word sign transparent pairing as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | ruwido austria GmbH shall pay the costs. |

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