Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 14 September 2022 –  
Sushi&Food Factor v EUIPO (READY 4YOU)

(Joined Cases T‑367/21 and T‑432/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0367_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Applications for EU figurative marks READY 4YOU – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 18, 19) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the goods or services covered by the application for registration – Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register – Scope  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 94(1), first sentence)  (see paragraphs 20, 21) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative marks READY 4YOU  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 22-25, 28, 36-41) |

| 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 – Perception of the trade mark by the relevant public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 33, 34) |

| 5. | 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 – Recourse by the Board of Appeal to implicit reasoning – Whether permissible – Conditions  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see paragraphs 47-49) |

| 6. | Acts of the institutions – Statement of reasons – Obligation – Scope – Plea alleging absence or inadequacy of the statement of reasons – Plea alleging incorrectness of the statement of reasons – Distinction  (Art. 296 TFEU)  (see paragraph 50) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – 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 paragraphs 59, 60) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Sushi&Food Factor sp. z o.o. sp.k. to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0367_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 329, 16.8.2021](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:329:TOC).

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