Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 10 October 2018 –  
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition v EUIPO (VANGUARD)

(Case T‑93/16)

(EU trade mark — International registration designating the European Union — Word mark VANGUARD — Absolute grounds for refusal — Lack of descriptive character — Distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) No 2017/1001))

| 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—Meaning  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 19-22) |

| 2. | 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—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Word mark VANGUARD  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))  (see paras 41, 45, 49, 51, 60, 63) |

| 3. | 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 para. 55) |

| 4. | 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 paras 56, 57) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 19 November 2015 (Case R 69/2015-2), concerning the international registration designating the European Union in respect of the word mark VANGUARD.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 19 November 2015 (Case R 69/2015-2); |

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

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