Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 14 December 2011 – Häfele v OHIM (Vorfront)

(Case T-531/10)

Community trade mark – Application for Community word mark Vorfront – Absolute ground for refusal – Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009

Community trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 23-24, 26-27, 35)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 14 September 2010 (Case R 570/2010‑1), concerning an application for registration of the word sign Vorfront as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Häfele GmbH & Co. KG to pay the costs.