Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Tenth Chamber) of 12 December 2019 –  
Baustoffwerke Gebhart & Söhne v EUIPO (BIOTON)

(Case T‑255/19)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark BIOTON — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Meaning  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 13) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 14, 15, 26) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Word mark BIOTON  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 17-23, 25, 28) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Legality — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 27) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 20 February 2019 (Case R 1887/2018-4), relating to an application for registration of the word sign BOITON as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Baustoffwerke Gebhart & Söhne GmbH & Co. KG to pay the costs. |

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