Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 12 July 2019 –  
Miles-Bramwell Executive Services v EUIPO (FREE)

(Case T‑113/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark FREE — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of 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 composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Meaning  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 19) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Overlap of the scope of the grounds set out in Articles 7(1)(b) and 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 2017/1001  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))  (see paras 20, 59, 60) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal — Interpretation of the grounds for refusal in the light of the public interest underlying each of them  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))  (see para. 21) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 22) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Laudatory promotional formula  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 23) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Word mark FREE  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 25, 29-31, 44-48) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Legality — Examination by the EU judicature — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 54) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 27 November 2017 (Case R 2164/2016-1), relating to an application for registration of the word sign FREE as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Miles-Bramwell Executive Services Ltd to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). |

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