Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 11 May 2017.Alexander Bammer v European Union Intellectual Property Office.EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark MÄNNERSPIELPLATZ — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 52(1)(a) and Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009.Case T-372/16.

Judgment // 11/05/2017 // 2 min read
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Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 11 May 2017 —Bammer v EUIPO — mydays (MÄNNERSPIELPLATZ)

(Case T‑372/16)

(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark MÄNNERSPIELPLATZ — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 52(1)(a) and Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) 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, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see para. 15)

  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—Criteria

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

(see paras 16, 17)

  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—Concept—Neologism consisting of elements descriptive of characteristics of the goods or services concerned—Whether included where the nature of the combination is not unusual

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

(see paras 18, 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 MÄNNERSPIELPLATZ

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

(see paras 21, 22, 33-36, 61)

  1. EU trade mark—Surrender, revocation and invalidity—Absolute grounds for invalidity—Registration contrary to Article 7—Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for nullity—Date of lodging the application for registration

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(a))

(see para. 24)

  1. EU trade mark—Decisions of the Office—Principle of equal treatment—Principle of sound administration—EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice—Principle of legality

(Council Regulation No 207/2009)

(see para. 47)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 28 April 2016 (Case R 1796/2015-1) concerning invalidity proceedings between mydays and Mr Bammer.

Operative part

The Court:

  1. Dismisses the action;

  2. Orders Mr Alexander Bammer to pay the costs.

Trade marks