Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 22 March 2018 — Safe Skies v EUIPO — Travel Sentry (TSA LOCK)

(Case T‑60/17)

(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark TSA LOCK — Absolute grounds for refusal — Distinctive character — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b), (c) and (g) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b), (c) and (g) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

| 1. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Assessment of distinctive character—Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 18-20) |

| 2. | EU trade mark—Procedural provisions—Examination of the facts of the Office’s own motion—Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal—Examination restricted to the submissions of the parties  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1), 52, 55 and 76(1))  (see para. 21) |

| 3. | EU trade mark—Surrender, revocation and invalidity—Absolute grounds for invalidity—Registration contrary to Article 7 of Regulation No 207/2009—Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for nullity—Date of lodging the application for registration  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7 and 52(1)(a))  (see para. 25) |

| 4. | EU trade mark—Surrender, revocation and invalidity—Absolute grounds for invalidity—Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation No 207/2009—Word mark TSA LOCK  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))  (see paras 29, 33-40, 50-54) |

| 5. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service—Aim—Need to preserve availability  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 45) |

| 6. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service—Meaning  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 46, 47) |

| 7. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Trade marks likely to deceive the public—Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(g))  (see paras 61-63) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 24 November 2016 (Case R 233/2016-4), relating to invalidity proceedings between Safe Skies and Travel Sentry.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Safe Skies LLC to pay the costs. |

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