Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 9 March 2022 – Lea Nature Services v EUIPO – Debonair Trading Internacional (SO …?)

(Case T‑196/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0196_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark SO …? – Absolute grounds for refusal – Distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Lack of descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Definition – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(b) and 59(1)(a))  (see paras 21-23) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Slogan conveying an objective message  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(b) and 59(1)(a))  (see paras 24, 25) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark SO …?  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(b) and 59(1)(a))  (see paras 32, 38, 44, 47, 51, 54, 55) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – 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, Arts 7(1)(b) and 59(1)(a))  (see para. 41) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)  (see paras 52, 53) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Definition  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))  (see para. 61) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Lea Nature Services to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0196_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 217, 7.6.2021](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:217:TOC).

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