Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 13 May 2020 –  
Clatronic International v EUIPO (PROFI CARE)

(Case T‑5/19)

(EU trade mark — International registration designating the European Union — Figurative mark PROFI CARE — Absolute grounds for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001 — Obligation to state reasons)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Statement of reasons for decisions — Article 94(1), first sentence, of Regulation 2017/1001 — Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see para. 15) |

| 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 — Definition  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 17, 18) |

| 3. | 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 paras 19, 20, 39) |

| 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 — Figurative mark PROFI CARE  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 35-37, 41, 57, 60, 63, 65, 66, 68) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Separate examination of the grounds for refusal in relation to each of the goods or services covered by the application for registration — Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register — Scope  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 94(1), first sentence)  (see paras 47-52) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Definition — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 73-76) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark PROFI CARE  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 85, 92, 96) |

| 8. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO's previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paras 93, 95) |

| 9. | EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Decisions of the Office — Observance of the rights of the defence — Scope of the principle  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), second sentence)  (see paras 102, 103) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 15 October 2018 (Case R 504/2018-1), relating to the international registration designating the European Union in respect of the figurative mark PROFI CARE.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Clatronic International GmbH to pay the costs. |

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