Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 14 November 2019 –  
Neoperl v EUIPO (Representation of four filled-in holes in a regular hole pattern)

(Case T‑669/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for an EU figurative mark representing four filled-in holes in a regular hole pattern — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — 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 distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 19-21, 44) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 22-24) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark consisting of the two-dimensional representation of a product — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 25, 26) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria — Position mark  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 27, 28, 31) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark representing four filled-in holes in a regular hole pattern  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 30, 36, 37, 48) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria — Perception of the trade mark by the relevant public — Attention level of the public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 32, 35) |

| 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see para. 47) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 10 September 2018 (Case R 2059/2017-5), concerning an application for registration of a sign representing four filled-in holes in a regular hole pattern as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Neoperl AG to pay the costs. |

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