Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 16 December 2020 –  
Voco v EUIPO (Shape of packaging)

(Case T‑118/20)

(EU trade mark – Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of packaging – 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 devoid of distinctive character – Meaning  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 25) |

| 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 para. 26) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 27-29, 41) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade mark consisting of the shape of packaging  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 31, 42-44, 46-48) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Registration of a new trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Burden of proof  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 95(1))  (see para. 45) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 4 December 2019 (Case R 978/2019-5) concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign consisting of the shape of packaging as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 4 December 2019 (Case R 978/2019-5); |

| 2. | Orders EUIPO to pay the costs. |

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