Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 15 October 2019 –  
Vans v EUIPO (ULTRARANGE)

(Case T‑434/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark ULTRARANGE — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 26-27) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Word mark composed of several elements — Account taken of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 28-29) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Word mark ULTRARANGE  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 30-35) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Assessment of the registrability of a sign — EU rules only taken into account — Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries — Decisions not binding EU bodies  (see paras 40, 41) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 25 April 2018 (Case R 2544/2017-2), relating to an application for registration of the word sign ULTRARANGE as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Vans, Inc. to pay the costs. |

[Top](#document1)