Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 25 November 2020 –  
Kerangus v EUIPO (ΑΠΛΑ!)

(Case T‑882/19)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark ΑΠΛΑ! – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Equal treatment)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Direction issued to the Office – Precluded  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65(6))  (see para. 24) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Amendment of a decision of the Office – Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65(3))  (see para. 25) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Meaning – Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 37, 38) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark ΑΠΛΑ!  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 44-48, 53, 54) |

| 5. | 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 products or services covered by the application for registration – Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register – Scope  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1) and 75, first sentence)  (see paras 49, 50, 52) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Refusal of registration based on one of the absolute grounds for refusal set out in Article 7(1) of Regulation No 207/2009 – Whether sufficient  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1))  (see para. 56) |

| 7. | 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  (see paras 63-65) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 25 October 2019 (Case R 1035/2017-1), concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign ΑΠΛΑ! as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Kerangus Holdings Ltd to pay the costs. |

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