Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 14 September 2022 –  
Balaban v EUIPO (Stahlwerk)

(Case T‑705/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0705_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Application for the EU word mark STAHLWERK – Absolute grounds for refusal – No distinctive character – Descriptive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)  (see paragraph 11) |

| 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 – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 18) |

| 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 – Definition  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraph 19) |

| 4. | 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 paragraph 20) |

| 5. | 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 STAHLWERK  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))  (see paragraphs 21-24, 26, 27) |

| 6. | 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 strict and complete examination in each particular case  (see paragraphs 30-33) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Mr Okan Balaban to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0705_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 37, 24.1.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:037:TOC).

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