Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 29 January 2025 –  
Doorinn v EUIPO (Position of a label on a mattress)

(Case T‑147/24)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU trade mark consisting of the position of a label on a mattress – Absolute ground for refusal – No 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 any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 15) |

| 2. | 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 – Sign being confused with the appearance of the designated product  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 16-18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Position mark – Concept  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 21) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Mark consisting of the position of a label on a mattress  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 23, 32, 43, 46-50) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Trade mark made up of several elements – Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark – Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 29) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment – Shape in question being a ‘variant’ of the habitual shapes of the type of products concerned – Fact not sufficient to establish distinctiveness of the mark  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 34, 35, 37, 45) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraph 52) |

| 8. | 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 stringent and full examination in each individual case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraph 53) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders each party to bear its own costs. |

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