Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 14 July 2021 –  
Aldi v EUIPO (Cachet)

(Case T‑622/20)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark Cachet – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 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 – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (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 – Meaning  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 14, 15) |

| 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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 16, 17) |

| 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 – Word mark Cachet  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 25, 29-31) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark Cachet  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 36, 37) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 11 August 2020 (Case R 452/2020-4), concerning an application for registration of the word sign Cachet as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 11 August 2020 (Case R 452/2020-4) in so far as it concerns the ‘sanitary preparations for medical purposes’ referred to in the trade mark application; |

| 2. | Dismisses the action as to the remainder; |

| 3. | Orders Aldi GmbH & Co. KG and EUIPO to bear their own respective costs. |

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