Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 29 July 2022 –  
Santos v EUIPO (Shape of a citrus press)

(Case T‑51/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TO0051_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(Action for annulment – EU trade mark – Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of a citrus press – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctiveness – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Decision adopted following the revocation of an earlier decision – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of 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 32-35, 37-39, 51, 53, 65) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Definition – Criteria for assessment – Recognition of the distinctive character of the sign not subject to a finding of a specific level of linguistic or artistic creativity or imaginativeness  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 36) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of a citrus press  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 41, 42, 49, 56, 58) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria – Perception of the trade mark by the relevant public – Attention level of the public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 43, 44) |

| 5. | 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  (see paragraphs 62, 63) |

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed as manifestly lacking any foundation in law. |

| 2. | Santos is ordered to pay the costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TO0051_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 119, 14.3.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:119:TOC).

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