Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 14 June 2012 —
Seven Towns v OHIM (Representation of seven squares of different colours)

(Case T‑293/10)

Community trade mark — Application for Community mark representing seven squares of different colours — Sign of which a Community trade mark may consist — Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009

1.                     Community trade mark — Registration procedure — Publication of the application — Measure not guaranteeing registration of the trade mark (Council Regulation 207/2009, Arts 37 and 39(2)) (see paras 33, 35, 36)

2.                     Community trade mark — Appeals procedure — Decision on the appeal — Exercise by the Board of Appeal of the powers of the examiner — Obligation to respect the rights of the defence (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 37(3), 64(1), and 75) (see paras 42, 43)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Signs capable of constituting a mark — Colours or combinations of colours — Conditions (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 4) (see para. 50)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 29 April 2010 (Case R 1475/2009‑1), concerning an application for registration of a sign representing seven squares of different colours as a Community mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders each party to bear its own costs.