Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 31 January 2018 — Weber-Stephen Products v EUIPO (iGrill)

(Case T‑35/17)

(EU trade mark — International registration designating the European Union — Word mark iGrill — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

1.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Aim — Need to preserve availability

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see para. 14)

2.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Meaning

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see paras 15-17, 32)

3.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign — Criteria

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see para. 18)

4.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Word mark iGrill

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see paras 20-23, 33, 34, 37, 38)

5.      EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case

(Council Regulation No 207/2009)

(see para. 36)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 4 November 2016 (Case R 538/2016–2), relating to the international registration designating the European Union of the word mark iGrill.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Weber-Stephen Products LLC to pay the costs.