Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 12 December 2018 –  
Bischoff v EUIPO — Miroglio Fashion (CARACTÈRE)

(Case T‑743/17)

(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark CARACTÈRE — Absolute grounds for refusal — No descriptive character — Distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

| 1. | 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. 15) |

| 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 — Aim — Need to preserve availability  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 23) |

| 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 — Meaning  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 24-26) |

| 4. | 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 27) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Word mark CARACTÈRE  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a))  (see paras 37, 40-42) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 48-50) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 20 July 2017 (Case R 328/2016-1), relating to invalidity proceedings between Bischoff and Miroglio Fashion.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Bischoff GmbH to pay the costs. |

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