Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Case T-374/15

(publication by extracts)

VM Vermögens-Management GmbH

v

European Union Intellectual Property Office

(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark Vermögensmanufaktur — Absolute grounds for refusal — Descriptive character — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009)

Summary – Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber), 7 September 2017

1. EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity —Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Relevant date for the purposes of assessing descriptive character — Account taken of circumstances subsequent to the date of filing the application for registration — Lawfulness

   (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))
2. EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Word mark Vermögensmanufaktur

   (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))

1. Although the date of filing the application for registration of an EU trade mark is the relevant date for examining the absolute ground for refusal referred to in Articles 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009 on the EU trade mark, material which, although subsequent to the date of filing of the application for registration, enables conclusions to be drawn with regard to the situation as it was on that date can, without erring in law, be taken into consideration.

   (see para.t 51)
2. Although the German word ‘Manufaktur’ originally referred to an undertaking in which goods were produced by hand, on the relevant date it also referred to the idea of individualised, high-quality production and could be used in relation to services.

   (see para. 52)

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