Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 27 November 2018 –  
CMS Hasche Sigle v EUIPO (WORLD LAW GROUP)

(Case T‑756/17)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark WORLD LAW GROUP — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) — Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | Judicial proceedings — Decision taken by way of reasoned order — Conditions — Appeal manifestly inadmissible or manifestly lacking any foundation in law  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 126)  (see para. 10) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 16-19, 31, 32) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks constituted of advertising slogans — Flattering promotional formula  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 20) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark WORLD LAW GROUP  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 29, 30, 33, 34) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see paras 44-47, 49, 51, 52) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 29 August 2017 (Case R 329/2017-5), concerning an application for registration of the word sign WORLD LAW GROUP as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | CMS Hasche Sigle Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten und Steuerberatern mbH is ordered to pay the costs. |

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