Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 17 October 2019 –  
United States Seafoods v EUIPO (UNITED STATES SEAFOODS)

(Case T‑10/19)

(EU trade mark — International registration designating the European Union — Figurative mark UNITED STATES SEAFOODS — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 11) |

| 2. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 12) |

| 3. | 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 — Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 13-15) |

| 4. | 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 — Figurative mark UNITED STATES SEAFOODS  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 19, 22, 25-29, 31-35) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 11 October 2018 (Case R 817/2018-5), relating to the international registration designating the European Union in respect of the figurative mark UNITED STATES SEAFOODS.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders United States Seafoods LLC to bear its own costs and pay those incurred by EUIPO. |

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