Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 12 February 2025 –  
Essity Hygiene and Health v EUIPO (Shape of a leaf)

(Case T-434/23)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark in the shape of a leaf – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now 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 – Interpretation in the light of the concept of public interest seeking to confer the protection envisaged by the regulation  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 12, 13) |

| 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 – Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 14) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Refusal to register on an absolute ground of refusal existing in only part of the Union  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(2))  (see paragraph 25) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Figurative mark in the shape of a leaf  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 27, 30, 37, 41, 46) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 31) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts by EUIPO of its own motion – Scope – Obligation to prove matters within common knowledge – No such obligation  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))  (see paragraph 47) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

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

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