Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 14 September 2022 –  
Balaban v EUIPO (Stahlwerkstatt)

(Case T‑706/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0706_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark Stahlwerkstatt – Absolute grounds for refusal – No distinctive character – Descriptive character – 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 15) |

| 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 – Definition  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 16) |

| 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 – Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 17) |

| 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 Stahlwerkstatt  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 21-26) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Mr Okan Balaban to pay the costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0706_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 37, 24.1.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:037:TOC).

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