Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 17 April 2024 –  
Ergotopia v EUIPO (WellBack)

(Case T‑388/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0388_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark WellBack – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Equal treatment)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness – Interpretation in the light of the concept of public interest seeking to confer the protection envisaged by Regulation 2017/1001  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 18, 20) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 19, 21, 31) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 22) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Word mark WellBack  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 29, 33, 35, 37) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound 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 41, 42) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Declares that Ergotopia GmbH and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) are each to bear their own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0388_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 296, 21.8.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:296:TOC).

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