Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 16 May 2013 — Restoin v OHIM (EQUIPMENT)

(Case T‑356/11)

Community trade mark — Application for Community word mark EQUIPMENT — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Obligation to state reasons — Article 75 of Regulation No 207/2009

1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Separate examination of the grounds for refusal in relation to each of the products or services covered by the application for registration — Duty to state reasons for the refusal to register — Scope (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1), and 75) (see para. 18)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 37, 38)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark EQUIPMENT (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 45, 46)

4.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal — Overlap between the scope of the grounds for refusal set out in subparagraphs (b) to (d) of Article 7(1) of Regulation No 207/2009 (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)) (see para. 53)

5.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Assessment of the registrability of a sign — Account to be taken only of Community legislation — Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries — Decisions not binding Community bodies (Council Regulation No 207/2009) (see para. 74)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Chamber of the Board of Appeal of OHIM of 14 April 2011 (Case R 1430/2010-4), concerning an application for registration of the word mark EQUIPMENT as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Mr Christian Restoin to pay the costs.