Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 14 November 2013 —
Efag Trade Mark Company v OHIM (FICKEN)

(Case T‑52/13)

Community trade mark — Application for Community word mark FICKEN — Absolute ground for refusal — Mark contrary to public order and good morals — Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009

1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Trade marks contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality — Examination by reference to the perception of the sign by the relevant public (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(f)) (see paras 12, 18‑20)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Trade marks contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality — Word mark FICKEN (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(f)) (see paras 13‑34)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Trade marks contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(f)) (see para. 16)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 18 October 2012 (Case R 493/2012‑1), concerning an application for registration of the word sign FICKEN as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Efag Trade Mark Company GmbH & Co. KG to pay the costs.