Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 25 January 2023 –  
Scania CV v EUIPO (V8)

(Case T‑320/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TJ0320_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark V8 – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – No distinctive character acquired through use – Article 7(3) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 17, 18, 31, 46) |

| 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 – Figurative mark V8  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 28, 32, 33, 35, 41) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria – EUIPO examination guidelines – Effect  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraph 34) |

| 4. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 40) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(3))  (see paragraphs 52, 54-57) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Burden of proof  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(3))  (see paragraph 53) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Trade mark devoid of distinctive character throughout the EU – Acquisition by use also throughout the EU  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(3))  (see paragraphs 58, 73, 74) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Probative value of the evidence  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(3))  (see paragraphs 61, 62, 75-77, 86, 93) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders each party to bear its own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TJ0320_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 284, 25.7.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:284:TOC).

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