Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 7 November 2019 –  
A9.com v EUIPO (Representation of a bell)

(Case T‑240/19)

(EU trade mark — Application for an EU figurative mark representing a bell — Absolute ground for refusal — Obligation to state reasons — Article 94 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Statement of reasons for decisions — First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation No 2017/1001 — Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see para. 17) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the products or services covered by the application for registration — Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register — Scope  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 94(1), first sentence)  (see paras 18-22) |

| 3. | Acts of the institutions — Statement of reasons — Obligation — Scope — Plea based on absence or inadequacy of the statement of reasons — Plea alleging incorrectness of the statement of reasons — Distinction  (Art. 296 TFEU)  (see para. 23) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Concept — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 49-51) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark representing a bell  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 63, 70-72) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Recognition of the distinctiveness of the sign not subject to a finding of a certain level of creativity or linguistic or artistic imagination  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 64-66) |

| 7. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paras 75-78) |

| 8. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Refusal to register based on one of the absolute grounds of refusal listed in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 — Whether sufficient  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))  (see para. 84) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 4 February 2019 (Case R 1309/2018-2), concerning an application for registration of a figurative sign representing a bell as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders A9.com, Inc. to pay the costs. |

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