Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 29 November 2016 —  
Chic Investments v EUIPO (eSMOKING WORLD)

(Case T‑617/15)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU figurative mark eSMOKING WORLD — Absolute grounds for refusal — Descriptive character — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Obligation to state reasons)

| 1. | 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 paras 16-18) |

| 2. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service—Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign—Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 31, 32) |

| 3. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Figurative mark eSMOKING WORLD  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 44, 55, 56, 70-73) |

| 4. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Absolute grounds for refusal—Marks devoid of any distinctive character—Composite mark—Taking into account the overall perception of the mark by the relevant public  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see para. 51) |

| 5. | 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  (see paras 66, 67) |

| 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1), and 75, first sentence)  (see paras 80, 81) |

| 7. | EU trade mark—Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark—Assessment of the registrability of a sign—EU rules only taken into account—Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries—Decisions not binding EU bodies  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see para. 105) |

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 25 June 2015 (R 3227/2014-5) concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign eSMOKING WORLD as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Chic Investments sp. z o.o. to pay the costs. |

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