Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 20 March 2019 –  
Grammer v EUIPO (Representation of a shape)

(Case T‑762/17)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU figurative mark representing a shape — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now 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 any distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 13-15, 17-19) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Statement of reasons for decisions — First sentence of Article 75 of Regulation No 207/2009 — Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU  (Art. 296 TFEU; Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 75, first sentence)  (see paras 23, 24) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Figurative sign representing a shape  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 25-37) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 6 September 2017 (Case R 2250/2016-4), concerning an application for registration of a shape as an EU figurative mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 6 September 2017 (Case R-2250/2016); |

| 2. | Orders EUIPO to pay the costs, including the costs necessarily incurred by Grammer AG for the purposes of the proceedings before the Board of Appeal of EUIPO. |

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