Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 23 August 2023 –  
Balaban v EUIPO – Shenzhen Stahlwerk Welding Technology (STAHLWERK)

(Case T‑13/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TO0013_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark STAHLWERK – Absolute ground for invalidity – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 18) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 19) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark STAHLWERK  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 26, 43, 46, 47) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive character of a sign – Criteria  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 41, 44, 45) |

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | Each party shall bear its own costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TO0013_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 83, 6.3.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:083:TOC).

[Top](#document1)