Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 14 March 2014 — Lardini v OHIM (Affixing of a flower to a collar)

(Case T‑131/13)

Community trade mark — Application for a Community trade mark consisting in the affixing of a flower to a collar — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009

1.                     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 — Positional mark (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 13-17, 25)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Representation of a three-dimensional stylised flower affixed to the collar of the garment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 19-37)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 13 December 2012 (Case R 2578/2011-1), concerning an application for registration as a Community trade mark of a sign consisting in the affixing of a flower to a collar.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Lardini Srl to pay the costs.