Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 6 June 2019 — Ortlieb Sportartikel v EUIPO (Representation of an octagon)

(Case T‑449/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU figurative mark representing an octagon — 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 14, 15) |

| 2. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 16, 17, 24, 41) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark representing an octagon  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 18, 27-29, 33, 44) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Recognition of the distinctiveness of the sign not subject to a finding of a certain level of creativity or linguistic or artistic imagination  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 23) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Assessment of the registrability of a sign — EU rules only taken into account — Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries — Decisions not binding EU bodies  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 38) |

| 6. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paras 40-42) |

Re

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 27 April 2018 (Case R 1634/2017-1) concerning an application for registration of a figurative sign representing an octagon as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Ortlieb Sportartikel GmbH to pay the costs. |

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