Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 13 September 2018 –  
Gratis iç ve Dis Ticaret v EUIPO (gratis)

(Joined Cases T‑495/17 and T‑496/17)

(EU trade mark — Applications for EU figurative marks gratis — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) and Article 7(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) — Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 15, 16) |

| 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 — Flattering promotional formula  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 17) |

| 3. | 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 — Perception of the trade mark by the relevant public — Attention level of the public  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 21) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Figurative marks gratis  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 27-30, 38) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Legality — Examination by the EU judicature — Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see para. 34) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see paras 35-37) |

Re:

Actions brought against the decisions of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 30 May 2017 (Cases R 506/2017-2 and R 507/2017-2) concerning the applications for registration of the figurative signs gratis as EU trade marks.

Operative part

| 1. | The actions are dismissed. |

| 2. | Gratis iç ve Dis Ticaret AŞ shall pay the costs. |

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