Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 7 December 2017 – sheepworld v EUIPO (Alles wird gut)

(Case T-622/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark Alles wird gut — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(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–Assessment of distinctive character–Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 18, 19) |

| 2. | 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 20-22) |

| 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–Flattering promotional formula  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 23-25) |

| 4. | EU trade mark–Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark–Absolute grounds for refusal–Marks devoid of any distinctive character–Word mark Alles wird gut  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 33-39, 44) |

| 5. | EU trade mark–Appeals procedure–Action before the EU judicature–Jurisdiction of the General Court–Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it–Not included  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65)  (see para. 45) |

| 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see paras 47, 48) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 16 June 2016 (Case R 212/2016-4) concerning an application for registration of the word sign Alles wird gut as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders sheepworld AG to pay the costs. |

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