Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 12 July 2012 —
medi v OHIM (medi)

(Case T-470/09)

Community trade mark — Application for the Community word mark medi — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (2) of Regulation 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 — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see para. 16)

2.                     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 17, 18, 31)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark medi (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 19, 36, 38)

4.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Assessment of registrability by the Office — Production of evidence — Not required (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see para. 22)

5.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Prior registration of the trade mark in certain Member States — Effect (see para. 41)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of OHIM of 1 October 2009 (Case R 692/2008‑4), concerning an application for registration of the word sign medi as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

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