Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 26 July 2023 –  
Apart v EUIPO – S. Tous (Representation of the outline of a bear)

(Case T‑591/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0591_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark representing the outline of a bear – Absolute ground for invalidity – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

| 1. | Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – Summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based – Similar requirements for submissions made in support of a plea – Abstract statement – Inadmissibility  (Statute of the Court of Justice, Arts 21, first para., and 53, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))  (see paragraphs 17, 100) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU – Essential procedural requirement  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see paragraphs 22, 23) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Definition – Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 30-33, 55, 70) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7, 59 and 95(1))  (see paragraph 34) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Registration contrary to Article 7 of Regulation No 40/94 – Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for invalidity – Date of filing of the application for registration  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraph 35) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 42, 43) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark consisting of the two-dimensional representation of a product – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraph 44) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark representing the outline of a bear  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(b) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 47, 48, 54, 55, 59, 67, 71, 74, 79) |

| 9. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraph 72) |

| 10. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Signs consisting exclusively of shape giving substantial value to the goods – Aim  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(e)(iii) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 84-86) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Apart sp. z o.o. to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0591_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 462, 15.11.2021](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:462:TOC).

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