Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 22 March 2017
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 22 March 2017
Data
- Court
- General Court
- Case date
- 22 maart 2017
Verdict
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 22 March 2017 — Hoffmann v EUIPO (Genius)
(Case T‑425/16)
"(European Union trade mark - Application for EU word mark Genius - Absolute ground for refusal - No distinctive character - Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)"
1. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterConceptCriteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 24, 25)
2. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterMarks constituted of advertising slogansDistinctive characterApplication of specific criteria for assessmentNot permissible
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 26, 27)
3. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterMarks constituted of advertising slogansSlogan carrying an objective message
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see para. 28)
4. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterMarks constituted of advertising slogansFlattering promotional formula
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 29, 39, 40)
5. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterWord mark Genius
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 41, 43, 44, 50)
Re:
ACTION brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 31 May 2016 (Case R 1631/2015-5), concerning an application for registration of the word sign Genius as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
The Court:
1. Dismisses the action;
2. Orders Mr Karl Hoffmann to pay the costs.