Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 13 May 2020 –  
Global Brand Holdings v EUIPO (XOXO)

(Case T‑503/19)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark XOXO — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it — Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)  (see para. 20) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Definition  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 28) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 29) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Distinctive character — Application of specific criteria for assessment — Not permissible  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 30, 31) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 32-35) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Word mark XOXO  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 37, 38, 42-51) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Legality — Examination by the EU judicature — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 56, 60) |

| 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 57-59) |

| 9. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 62) |

| 10. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Exception — Acquisition through use — Examination by the Office — Limitation to the facts and evidence raised by the trade mark applicant  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(3))  (see para. 69) |

| 11. | EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal — Annulment or variation for reasons appearing after judgment was delivered — Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)  (see para. 78) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 11 April 2019 (Case R 1413/2018-1), concerning an application for registration of the word sign XOXO as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Global Brand Holdings, LLC to pay the costs. |

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