Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 27 June 2017 —  
Aldi Einkauf v EUIPO — Fratelli Polli (ANTICO CASALE)

(Case T‑327/16)

(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark ANTICO CASALE — Absolute grounds for refusal — Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Article 7(1)(b), (c) and (g) and Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009)

| 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))  (see para. 17) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Assessment of the descriptive character of the trade mark — Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))  (see para. 19) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Word mark ANTICO CASALE  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c), and 52(1)(a))  (see paras 27-30) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/20091 — Assessment of the descriptive character of the trade mark — Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b), and 52(1)(a))  (see paras 34, 35) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Examination of the facts of the Office’s own motion — Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal — Examination restricted to the submissions of the parties  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7, 52, 55 and 76(1))  (see paras 38-40) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Trade marks likely to deceive the public — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(g), and 52(1)(a))  (see para. 51) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 13 April 2016 (Case R 1337/2015-2) relating to invalidity proceedings between Aldi Einkauf and Fratelli Polli.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Co. OHG to pay the costs. |

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