Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 8 May 2019
Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 8 May 2019
Data
- Court
- General Court
- Case date
- 8 mei 2019
Verdict
Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 8 May 2019 –
Getsmarter Online v EUIPO (getsmarter)
(Case T‑473/18)
"(EU trade mark - Application for EU figurative mark getsmarter - Mark consisting of an advertising slogan - Absolute ground for refusal - Lack of distinctive character - Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) - No distinctive character acquired through use - Article 7(3) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 7(3) of Regulation 2017/1001) - Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)"
1. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterMeaningCriteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 18, 19)
2. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterAssessment of distinctive characterCriteriaPerception of the trade mark by the relevant publicAttention level of the public
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 20, 28-30)
3. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterMarks consisting of advertising slogansDistinctive characterApplication of specific criteria for assessmentNot permissible
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 21, 22)
4. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterMarks consisting of advertising slogansSlogan displaying imaginativeness
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see para. 23)
5. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterMarks consisting of advertising slogansLaudatory promotional formula
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see para. 24)
6. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterFigurative mark getsmarter
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 27, 34-38)
7. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterExceptionDistinctive character acquired through useUse before the date of filing the application for registration
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(3))
(see para. 50)
8. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterExceptionDistinctive character acquired through useCriteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(3))
(see paras 51-56)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 10 May 2018 (Case R 2632/2017-1), relating to an application for registration of the figurative sign getsmarter as an EU trade mark.
Operative part
1. The action is dismissed.
2. Getsmarter Online Ltd shall pay the costs.