Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 7 December 2017 – sheepworld v EUIPO (Alles wird gut)

(Case T-622/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark Alles wird gut — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

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

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

(see paras 18, 19)

2.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks constituted of advertising slogans – Distinctive character – Application of specific criteria for assessment – Not permissible

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

(see paras 20-22)

3.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Marks constituted of advertising slogans – Flattering promotional formula

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

(see paras 23-25)

4.      EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Word mark Alles wird gut

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

(see paras 33-39, 44)

5.      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. 45)

6.      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 paras 47, 48)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 16 June 2016 (Case R 212/2016-4) concerning an application for registration of the word sign Alles wird gut as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1.      Dismisses the action;

2.      Orders sheepworld AG to pay the costs.