Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 6 October 2017 – Karelia v EUIPO (KARELIA)

(Case T-878/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark ‘KARELIA’ — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — No 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–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 14) |

| 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–Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign–Geographical names  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 15-19, 30) |

| 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–Word mark KARELIA  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 28, 31, 35, 38, 39) |

| 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–Meaning  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 33, 34) |

Application for

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 19 September 2016 (Case R 1562/2015-5), relating to an application for registration of the word sign ‘KARELIA’ as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action. |

| 2. | Orders Ms Ino Karelia to pay the costs. |

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