Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 22 March 2017 — Hoffmann v EUIPO (Genius)

(Case T‑425/16)

(European Union trade mark — Application for EU word mark Genius — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)

| 1. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Concept—Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 24, 25) |

| 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 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—Slogan carrying an objective message  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 28) |

| 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 29, 39, 40) |

| 5. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Word mark Genius  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 41, 43, 44, 50) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 31 May 2016 (Case R 1631/2015-5), concerning an application for registration of the word sign Genius as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Mr Karl Hoffmann to pay the costs. |

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