Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 11 September 2024 –  
Väderstad v EUIPO (Position of a combination of presentational features)

(Joined Cases T‑361/23 to T‑364/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0361_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Applications for EU trade marks consisting of the position of a combination of presentational features – Subject matter of the dispute – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Annulment or alteration for reasons appearing after the decision was adopted – Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)  (see paragraph 15) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Limitation of the list of goods and services after the decision of the Board of Appeal – Consequences  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 49(1))  (see paragraphs 16, 18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 26) |

| 4. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 27, 72) |

| 5. | 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 – Position mark – Applicability of general principles relating to the assessment of the distinctive character of colour marks to position marks consisting of the position of colours  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 36) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Signs of which a trade mark may consist – Colours or combinations of colours – Condition – Distinctive character – Account to be taken of the public interest in not unduly restricting the availability of colours  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 37, 38, 42, 43, 53) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks consisting of the position of a combination of presentational features  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 48, 50, 54, 58, 63, 68, 70, 74, 79, 80) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Scope – No obligation to prove matters within common knowledge  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))  (see paragraphs 65-67) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the actions; |

| 2. | Orders each party to bear its own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0361_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 304, 28.8.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:304:TOC).

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