Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 10 November 2023 –  
Chart v EUIPO (ABSOLUTEFLOW)

(Case T‑21/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TO0021_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU word mark ABSOLUTEFLOW – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 14, 15) |

| 2. | 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 paragraph 16) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Trade mark made up of several elements – Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark – Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 22) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark ABSOLUTEFLOW  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 23, 26-29, 36) |

| 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 – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 31-33) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Definition – Criteria for assessment – Recognition of the distinctive character of the sign not subject to a finding of a specific level of linguistic or artistic creativity or imaginativeness  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 34) |

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | Chart Inc. and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) shall each bear their own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TO0021_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 83, 6.3.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:083:TOC).

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