Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 20 November 2024 –  
Washtower IP v EUIPO – LG Electronics (WASHTOWER)

(Case T‑376/23)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark WASHTOWER – Absolute ground for invalidity – Descriptiveness – Article 7(1)(c) and Article 59(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Annulment or alteration for reasons appearing after the decision was adopted – Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)  (see paragraph 21) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)  (see paragraphs 22, 23) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Presumption of validity of the registered mark  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7 and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraph 27) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Meaning  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 31-36) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraph 47) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting 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 paragraphs 53, 61-63, 71) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark WASHTOWER  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 56, 69, 73-79) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Washtower IP BV to pay the costs. |

[Top](#document1)