Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 27 April 2017 — BASF v EUIPO — Evonik Industries (DINCH)

(Case T‑721/15)

(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark DINCH — Absolute grounds for refusal — Descriptiveness — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Aim — Need to preserve availability  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))  (see paras 18, 49) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Concept  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))  (see paras 19, 20, 24) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Concept — Mark composed of a word or neologism resulting from a combination of elements  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))  (see paras 21, 22) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Assessment of the descriptive character of the trade mark — Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))  (see para. 23) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Word mark DINCH  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))  (see paras 38, 40-42, 50) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 23 September 2015 (Case R 2080/2014-1), relating to invalidity proceedings between Evonik Industries and BASF.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders BASF SE to pay the costs. |

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