Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 5 April 2017 —  
Anta (China) v EUIPO (Representation of two lines forming an acute angle)

(Case T‑291/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for an EU figurative mark representing two lines forming an acute angle — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)

| 1. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Concept—Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 15-17, 28, 52) |

| 2. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Figurative mark representing two lines forming an acute angle  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 21, 26, 32, 33, 44) |

| 3. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Recognition of the distinctiveness of the sign not subject to a finding of a certain level of creativity or linguistic or artistic imagination  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 29-31) |

| 4. | EU trade mark—Procedural provisions—Examination of the facts of the Office’s own motion—Registration of a new trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Burden of proof  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1), and 76(1))  (see para. 41) |

| 5. | EU trade mark—Decisions of the Office—Legality—Examination by the EU judicature—Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see para. 46) |

| 6. | 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see paras 47-49) |

| 7. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Assessment of the registrability of a sign—EU rules only taken into account—Decisions of national authorities not binding EU bodies  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see para. 56) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 9 March 2016 (Case R 1292/2015-5) concerning an application for registration of a figurative sign representing two lines forming an acute angle as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Anta (China) Co. Ltd to pay the costs. |

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