Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 12 December 2013 —
Sweet Tec v OHIM (Shape of an oval)

(Case T‑156/12)

Community trade mark — Application for a three-dimensional Community trade mark — Shape of an oval — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of 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 — Three-dimensional mark constituted by the shape of the product — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 13, 16-18)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional mark representing an oval basic shape with a hollow extending over the whole of the upper surface (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 19-26)

3.                     Community trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — OHIM’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case (see paras 28, 29)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 19 January 2012 (Case R 542/2011-1) concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign in the shape of an oval as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Sweet Tec GmbH to pay the costs.