Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 5 October 2022 –  
the airscreen company v EUIPO – Moviescreens Rental (airframe)

(Case T‑539/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0539_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – Figurative mark airframe – Absolute grounds for refusal – No descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 21) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Definition  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 22) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 23, 37) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Registration contrary to Article 7 of Regulation 2017/1001 – Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for invalidity – Date of filing of the application for registration  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 24, 25) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided – Well-known facts taken into account  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 59 and 60)  (see paragraphs 26-28) |

| 6. | EU trade mark –Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Figurative mark airframe  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c) and (2))  (see paragraphs 29, 36, 39, 41) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders the airscreen company GmbH & Co. KG to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0539_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 422, 18.10.2021.](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:422:TOC)

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