Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 14 November 2023 –  
3M v EUIPO (Representation of two parallel luminous yellow bands separated by a silver grey band with transparent parallel slanted lines running through the three bands)

(Case T‑801/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TO0801_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark representing two parallel luminous yellow bands separated by a silver grey band with transparent parallel slanted lines running through the three bands – Absolute ground for refusal – Sign consisting exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Concept – Interpretation in the light of the public interest underlying each of them  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraph 15) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Concept – Presence of non-essential characteristics with no technical function – Existence of other shapes allowing the same technical result to be obtained – Not relevant to the ground for refusal  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraphs 16-18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Identification of the essential characteristics of a sign  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraph 19) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Inapplicability  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraph 20) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Assessment of the essential characteristics in the light of the technical function of the goods  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraphs 31, 45, 46) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Signs which consist exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Figurative mark representing two parallel luminous yellow bands separated by a silver grey band with transparent parallel slanted lines running through the three bands  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(e)(ii))  (see paragraphs 34, 35, 39, 47, 48) |

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | 3M Company and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) shall each bear their own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TO0801_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 54, 13.2.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:054:TOC).

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