Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 9 March 2017 —

Puma v EUIPO (FOREVER FASTER)

(Case T‑104/16)

(EU trade mark — International registration designating the European Union — Word mark FOREVER FASTER — Mark consisting of an advertising slogan — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Equal treatment — Principle of sound administration)

| 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 15, 16) |

| 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 paras 17, 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 paras 19, 21) |

| 4. | 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—Slogan with a fantasy character  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 20, 39) |

| 5. | 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  (see paras 29, 48) |

| 6. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Word mark FOREVER FASTER  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 30-33) |

| 7. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Assessment of the registrability of a sign—EU rules only taken into account—Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries—Decisions not binding EU bodies  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see para. 56) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 7 January 2016 (Case R 770/2015-1) relating to the international registration designating the European Union in respect of the word mark FOREVER FASTER.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Puma SE to pay the costs. |

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