Provisional text

Order of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 20 April 2016 —
Dima v EUIPO (Shape of an open cubic box)

(Case T‑383/15)

EU trade mark — Application for a three-dimensional EU trade mark — Form of an open cubic box — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law

1.                     EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see para. 14)

2.                     EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment — Shape in question being a ‘variant’ of the habitual shapes of the type of products concerned — Fact not sufficient to establish distinctiveness of the mark (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 15-18)

3.                     EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional mark in the shape of a box (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 19, 22, 23)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 27 March 2015 (Case R 2568/2014-5) concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign consisting of the shape of an open cubic box as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

1. The action is dismissed.

2. Dima Verwaltungs GmbH is ordered to pay the costs.