Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 8 May 2024 –  
Listan v EUIPO (Silent Loop)

(Case T‑501/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0501_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – International registration designating the European Union – Word mark Silent Loop – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – 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, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 13-15, 24, 25, 45) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Registration of a new trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Burden of proof  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 95(1))  (see paragraph 18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark Silent Loop  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 20, 21, 27, 36, 37, 39, 46, 52) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word composed of elements describing characteristics of the goods or services concerned – Whether included where the nature of the combination is not unusual  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 26) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of good administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraphs 48-51) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

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

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0501_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 338, 25.9.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:338:TOC).

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