Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 20 July 2017 —  
Basic Net v EUIPO (Representation of three vertical stripes)

(Case T‑612/15)

(European Union trade mark — Application for an EU figurative mark representing three vertical stripes — Absolute ground for refusal — Not distinctive — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — No distinctive character acquired through use — Article 7(3) of Regulation 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 17, 18) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks constituted by a colour or combination of colours  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 19-22, 42, 43) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Figurative mark representing three vertical stripes  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 25, 65, 76) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice  (see paras 72-74) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Trade marks which are devoid of distinctive character, descriptive or commonplace — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(3))  (see paras 80-86) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 14 August 2015 (Case R 2845/2014-1) concerning an application for registration of a figurative sign representing three vertical stripes as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Basic Net SpA to pay the costs. |

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