Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 23 March 2022 –  
Hrebenyuk v EUIPO (Shape of a stand-up collar)

(Case T‑252/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0252_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of a stand-up collar – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment – Norm or customs of the sector – Concept  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 15-20, 31, 35-37) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment – Shape in question being a ‘variant’ of the habitual shapes of the type of products concerned – Fact not sufficient to establish distinctiveness of the mark  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 26) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment – Objective and uncommon visual effect of the aesthetic aspect  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 27) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade mark consisting of the shape of a stand-up collar  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 33, 43, 44) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Probative value of the evidence – Opinion poll  (see paras 39, 40) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Ms Anna Hrebenyuk to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0252_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 263, 5.7.2021](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:263:TOC).

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