Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 11 December 2014 — ‘Millano’ Krzysztof Kotas v OHIM (Shape of a box of chocolates)

(Case T‑440/13)

Community trade mark — Application for three-dimensional Community trade mark — Shape of a box of chocolates — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009

1.                     Community trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — No power to issue directions (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65(6)) (see para. 11)

2.                     Community trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — Amendment of a decision by the Office — Assessment having regard to the competences conferred on the Board of Appeal (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65(3)) (see para. 12)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see para. 17)

4.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community 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 18-21)

5.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional mark constituted by the shape of a box of chocolates (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 22, 26-29)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 22 May 2013 (Case R 755/2012-2) concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign consisting in the shape of a box of chocolates as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Zakład Wyrobów Cukierniczych ‘Millano’ Krzysztof Kotas to bear its own costs and those incurred by the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM).