Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 24 January 2017 — Solenis Technologies v EUIPO (STRONG BONDS. TRUSTED SOLUTIONS.)

(Case T‑96/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark STRONG BONDS. TRUSTED SOLUTIONS. — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Concept — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 14-17) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks constituted of advertising slogans — Distinctive character — Application of specific criteria for assessment — Not permissible  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks constituted of advertising slogans — Flattering promotional formula  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 19) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark STRONG BONDS. TRUSTED SOLUTIONS.  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 21, 28-30) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 3 December 2015 (Case R 613/2015-2), concerning an application for registration of the word sign STRONG BONDS. TRUSTED SOLUTIONS. as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Solenis Technologies LP to pay the costs. |

[Top](#document1)