Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 8 January 2025 –  
Cinkciarz.pl v EUIPO (€$ We Think for You)

(Case T-20/24)

(EU trade mark – Application for the figurative European Union trade mark €$ W Think for You – 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) – Obligation to state reasons – Right to be heard – Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 16) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 17, 18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 19, 21) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Application of specific criteria for assessment – Not permissible  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 20) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Figurative mark €$ We Think for You  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 42-46, 48, 54) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 47) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Decisions of EUIPO – Observance of the rights of the defence – Scope of the principle  (Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(2)(a); European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1))  (see paragraphs 61, 64) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Cinkciarz.pl sp. z o.o. to pay the costs. |

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