Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 26 June 2024

1. EU trade markAppeals procedureAction before the EU judicatureJurisdiction of the General CourtAlteration of a decision of EUIPOAssessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))

(see paragraph 11)

2. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterConcept of distinctiveness

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see paragraph 15)

3. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterThree-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itselfDistinctive characterCriteria for assessment

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 16, 17, 33-36)

4. EU trade markProcedural provisionsExamination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motionScopeObligation to prove matters within common knowledgeNoneDispute before the General CourtSubmission of documents to demonstrate the accuracy of a well-known fact

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))

(see paragraph 30)

5. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterThree-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of automobile headlights

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 37, 42, 44-46)

6. Judicial proceedingsCostsProceedings relating to intellectual property rightsRecoverable costsCosts necessarily incurred by the parties for the purposes of the proceedings before the Board of Appeal

(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 190(2))

(see paragraph 52)

Operative part

The Court:

1. Finds that it is not necessary to adjudicate on the claim put forward by Volvo Personvagnar AB in respect of the confidential treatment of Annexes A.1 and A.3 to the application;

2. Annuls the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 9 March 2023 (R 1129/2022-5);

3. Dismisses the action as to the remainder;

4. Orders EUIPO to pay the costs, including those incurred for the purposes of the proceedings before the Board of Appeal.