Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 21 April 2021 –  
Robert Klingel v EUIPO (MEN+)

(Case T‑345/20)

(EU trade mark – Application for registration of the EU figurative mark MEN+ – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctiveness – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Examination of the facts – Article 95(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Obligation to state reasons)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Mark devoid of distinctive character – Definition  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 14) |

| 2. | 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 para. 15) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Application of specific criteria for assessment – Not permissible  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 16) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Laudatory promotional formula  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 17) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark MEN+  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 30, 32-34, 45, 50, 56, 58) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Separate examination of the grounds for refusal in relation to each of the goods 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 para. 60) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of the EUIPO’s own motion – Duty of diligence  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7 and 95(1))  (see paras 74, 75) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)  (see para. 78) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 27 March 2020 (Case R 1906/2019-1) concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign MEN+ as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Robert Klingel OHG to pay the costs. |

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