Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 3 October 2018 –  
Wajos v EUIPO (Form of a container)

(Case T‑313/17)

(EU trade mark — Application for a three-dimensional trade mark — Form of a container — Absolute ground for refusal — Distinctiveness — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

| 1. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Meaning—Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 12-14) |

| 2. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Three-dimensional mark made up of the form of a container  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 18-21, 36, 37, 39, 41) |

| 3. | EU trade mark—Appeals procedure—Action before the EU judicature—Jurisdiction of the General Court—Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it—Not included  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65)  (see para. 25) |

| 4. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself—Distinctive character—Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 26-28, 33) |

| 5. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Lack of distinctiveness—Trade mark made up of several elements—Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark—Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 31) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 15 February 2017 (Case R 1526/2016-1) concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign consisting of the form of a container as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the First Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 15 February 2017 (Case R 1526/2016-1); |

| 2. | Orders EUIPO to pay the costs. |

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