Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 23 October 2024 –  
Nike Innovate v EUIPO (SUPPORT-FIT)

(Case T‑1072/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ1072_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark SUPPORT-FIT – Absolute grounds for refusal – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 13, 15-18) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 14) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Concept – Mark consisting of a word or neologism produced by a combination of elements  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 34) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark SUPPORT-FIT  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 35, 36, 40) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraphs 38, 39) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders each party to bear its own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ1072_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 450, 3.1.2024](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2024:450:TOC).

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