Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 27 June 2017.Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Co. OHG v European Union Intellectual Property Office.EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark ANTICO CASALE — Absolute grounds for refusal — Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Article 7(1)(b), (c) and (g) and Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009.Case T-327/16.

Judgment // 27/06/2017 // 2 min read
bookmark

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 27 June 2017 —Aldi Einkauf v EUIPO — Fratelli Polli (ANTICO CASALE)

(Case T‑327/16)

(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark ANTICO CASALE — Absolute grounds for refusal — Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Article 7(1)(b), (c) and (g) and Article 52(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009)

  1. EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Aim — Need to preserve availability

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

(see para. 17)

  1. EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Assessment of the descriptive character of the trade mark — Criteria

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

(see para. 19)

  1. EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Word mark ANTICO CASALE

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

(see paras 27-30)

  1. EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/20091 — Assessment of the descriptive character of the trade mark — Criteria

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

(see paras 34, 35)

  1. EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Examination of the facts of the Office’s own motion — Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal — Examination restricted to the submissions of the parties

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7, 52, 55 and 76(1))

(see paras 38-40)

  1. EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Trade marks likely to deceive the public — Criteria for assessment

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

(see para. 51)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 13 April 2016 (Case R 1337/2015-2) relating to invalidity proceedings between Aldi Einkauf and Fratelli Polli.

Operative part

The Court:

  1. Dismisses the action;

  2. Orders Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Co. OHG to pay the costs.

Trade marks