Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 13 December 2018 –  
Sonova Holding v EUIPO (HEAR THE WORLD)

(Case T‑70/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark HEAR THE WORLD — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | 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 — Aim — Need to preserve availability  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 16) |

| 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 — Meaning  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 17-20) |

| 3. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 21) |

| 4. | 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 — Word mark HEAR THE WORLD  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 32-34) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 21 November 2017 (Case R 1645/2017-5) concerning an application for registration of the word sign HEAR THE WORLD as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | Sonova Holding AG shall pay the costs. |

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