Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 17 April 2018 — Bielawski v EUIPO (HOUSE OF CARS)

(Case T‑364/17)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark HOUSE OF CARS — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) — Legitimate expectations — Legal certainty)

| 1. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Meaning—Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 21, 22) |

| 2. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Word mark HOUSE OF CARS  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 24, 33, 37) |

| 3. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Trade mark made up of several elements—Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark—Scope of protection of the mark  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 26) |

| 4. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the products or services covered by the application for registration—Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register—Scope  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1) and 75, first sentence)  (see paras 34, 35) |

| 5. | EU trade mark—Decisions of the Office—Principle of equal treatment—Principle of sound administration—EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice  (see paras 42, 43) |

| 6. | 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 44-46) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 27 March 2017 (Case R 2047/2016-5), concerning an application for registration of the word sign HOUSE OF CARS as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Mr Marcin Bielawski to pay the costs. |

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