Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 12 June 2018 –  
Fenyves v EUIPO (Blue)

(Case T‑375/17)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU figurative mark Blue — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(c) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation 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 — Meaning  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 14, 15, 28) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods or services — Aim — Need to preserve availability  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see para. 22) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods or services — Figurative mark Blue  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paras 33, 37, 42, 43, 46) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality  (Council Regulation No 207/2009)  (see paras 39-41) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 27 March 2017 (Case R 1974/2016-5), relating to an application for registration of the figurative sign Blue as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Ms Klaudia Patricia Fenyves to pay the costs. |

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