Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Single Judge) of 27 June 2018 –  
NCL v EUIPO (FEEL FREE)

(Case T‑362/17)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark FEEL FREE — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) and 7(2) 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—Meaning  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 25) |

| 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 paras 26, 27) |

| 3. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Marks constituted of advertising slogans—Distinctive character—Application of specific criteria for assessment—Not permissible  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 28-30) |

| 4. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Marks constituted of advertising slogans—Flattering promotional formula  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 31, 33) |

| 5. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Marks constituted of advertising slogans—Slogan carrying an objective message  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 32) |

| 6. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Word mark FEEL FREE  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 35, 42-48) |

| 7. | EU trade mark—Decisions of the Office—Legality—Examination by the EU judicature—Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see para. 49) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 23 March 2017 (Case R 2094/2016-4), concerning an application for registration of the word sign FEEL FREE as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders NCL Corporation Ltd to pay the costs. |

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