Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 12 July 2023 –  
Fibrecycle v EUIPO (BACK-2-NATURE)

(Case T‑772/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TJ0772_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – International registration designating the European Union – Word mark BACK-2-NATURE – Absolute ground for refusal – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Concept – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 16) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 18, 20, 21) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Application of specific criteria for assessment – Not permissible  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 19) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Marks consisting of advertising slogans – Laudatory promotional formula  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 22, 23, 54) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Word mark BACK-2-NATURE  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 45, 47-49, 51, 53, 56) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Lack of distinctiveness – Trade mark made up of several elements – Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark – Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paragraph 50) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders the parties to bear their own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TJ0772_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 45, 6.2.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:045:TOC).

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