Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 22 March 2017 — Intercontinental Exchange Holdings v EUIPO (BRENT INDEX)

(Case T‑430/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark BRENT INDEX — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptiveness — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)

| 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. 16) |

| 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—Concept  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 17, 18) |

| 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—Concept—Mark composed of a word or neologism resulting from a combination of elements  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 19, 20) |

| 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 BRENT INDEX  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 28-35, 38-40) |

| 5. | 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  (see paras 44-46) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 2 June 2016 (Case R 8/2016-4), concerning an application for registration of the word sign BRENT INDEX as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Intercontinental Exchange Holdings, Inc. to pay the costs. |

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