Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 20 November 2019 –  
Rezon v EUIPO (imot.bg)

(Case T‑101/19)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU figurative mark imot.bg — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — No distinctive character acquired through use — Article 7(1)(b) and (3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Obligation to state reasons — First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 15-19) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark imot.bg  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (3))  (see paras 22, 24-28, 51) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Statement of reasons for decisions — First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 — Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see paras 30-32) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (3))  (see para. 46) |

| 5. | Judicial proceedings — Application initiating proceedings — Formal requirements — Identification of the subject matter of the dispute — Brief summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based — Inadmissibility  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 76(1)(d))  (see para. 49) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 9 November 2018 (Case R 999/2018-2) relating to an application for registration of the figurative sign imot.bg as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Rezon OOD to pay the costs. |

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