Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 16 May 2017 —
Marsh v EUIPO (LegalPro)

(Case T‑472/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark LegalPro — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptiveness — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)

1.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Aim — Need to preserve availability

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

(see para. 13)

2.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Concept

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

(see paras 14, 15, 25, 26)

3.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Concept — Mark composed of a word or neologism resulting from a combination of elements

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

(see para. 16)

4.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark LegalPro

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

(see paras 28, 39, 43)

5.      EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Legality — Examination by the EU judicature — Criteria

(Council Regulation No 207/2009)

(see para. 31)

6.      EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice

(Council Regulation No 207/2009)

(see para. 32)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 17 June 2016 (Case R 146/2016-4) concerning the application for registration of the word sign LegalPro as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Marsh GmbH to pay the costs.