Order of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 23 August 2023

Data

Court: General Court

Case date: 23 augustus 2023

Verdict

Order of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 23 August 2023 –
Nienaber v EUIPO – St. Hippolyt Mühle Ebert (BoneKare)

(Case T‑609/22)⁽¹⁾

"(EU trade mark - Invalidity proceedings - EU word mark BoneKare - Absolute ground for invalidity - Descriptive character - Article 7(1)(c) and Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) and Article 59(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) - Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion - Article 95(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 - Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)"

1. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityMarks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or serviceConcept

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see paragraphs 26-29)

2. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityMarks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or serviceWord mark BoneKare

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see paragraphs 34-38, 46, 47)

3. EU trade markDecisions of EUIPOEUIPO’s previous decision-making practicePrinciple of legalityNeed for a stringent and full examination in each individual case

(Council Regulation No 207/2009)

(see paragraph 44)

4. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityDescriptive character of a signCircumstance necessarily implying absence of distinctive character of the sign

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))

(see paragraph 52)

5. EU trade markProcedural provisionsExamination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motionInvalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusalExamination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments providedWell-known facts taken into account

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7, 59, 62 and 95(1))

(see paragraphs 57-59)

6. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityRegistration contrary to Article 7Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for invalidityDate of filing of the application for registration

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7 and 52(1)(a))

(see paragraph 66)

Operative part

1. The action is dismissed.

2. Mr Andreas Nienaber shall bear his own costs and pay those incurred by St. Hippolyt Mühle Ebert GmbH.

3. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) shall bear its own costs.