Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 18 November 2015

1. Community trade markDefinition and acquisition of the Community trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or serviceAimNeed to preserve availability (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see para. 15)

2. Community trade markDefinition and acquisition of the Community trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or serviceConcept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 16, 17)

3. Community trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityRegistration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009Word mark TRILOBULAR (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(c) and 52(1)(a)) (see paras 20-22, 50)

4. Community trade markProcedural provisionsExamination of the facts of the Office’s own motionInvalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusalExamination restricted to the submissions of the parties (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1), 52, 55, 57(1) and 76(1)) (see paras 40, 41)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of OHIM of 12 May 2014 (Case R 442/2013-4), relating to invalidity proceedings between Nedschroef Holding BV and Research Engineering & Manufacturing, Inc.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Research Engineering & Manufacturing, Inc., to bear the costs.