Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 12 December 2018.Bischoff GmbH v European Union Intellectual Property Office.EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark CARACTÈRE — Absolute grounds for refusal — No descriptive character — Distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001).Case T-743/17.

Judgment // 12/12/2018 // 2 min read
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Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 12 December 2018 –Bischoff v EUIPO — Miroglio Fashion (CARACTÈRE)

(Case T‑743/17)

(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark CARACTÈRE — Absolute grounds for refusal — No descriptive character — Distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

  1. EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it — Not included

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65)

(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 — Aim — Need to preserve availability

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

(see para. 23)

  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 — Meaning

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

(see paras 24-26)

  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 — Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign — Criteria

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

(see para. 27)

  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 CARACTÈRE

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

(see paras 37, 40-42)

  1. EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment

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

(see paras 48-50)

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 20 July 2017 (Case R 328/2016-1), relating to invalidity proceedings between Bischoff and Miroglio Fashion.

Operative part

The Court:

  1. Dismisses the action;

  2. Orders Bischoff GmbH to pay the costs.

Trade marks