Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 12 March 2019 –  
Novartis v EUIPO (SMARTSURFACE)

(Case T‑463/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark SMARTSURFACE — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | Judicial proceedings — Application initiating proceedings — Formal requirements — Brief summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based — General reference to other documents not annexed to the application — Inadmissibility  (Statute of the Court of Justice, Art. 21, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))  (see paras 14, 15) |

| 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 — Mark composed of a word or neologism resulting from a combination of elements  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 20-22) |

| 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 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 23) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Condition of admissibility — Pleas directed only against decisions of the Boards of Appeal  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(1))  (see para. 40) |

| 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paras 54-56) |

| 6. | 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 SMARTSURFACE  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 57, 58) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 25 May 2018 (Case R 1765/2017-2), relating to an application for registration of the word sign SMARTSURFACE as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

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

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