Order of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 7 May 2014 —
Sharp v OHIM (BIG PAD)

(Case T‑567/13)

Community trademark — Application for Community figurative mark BIG PAD — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive nature — Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Action in part manifestly inadmissible and in part manifestly lacking any foundation in law

1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Criteria (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 16-18)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Figurative mark BIG PAD (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 19, 23, 24)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see para. 26)

4.                     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 29-31)

5.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Assessment of the registrability of a sign — EU rules only taken into account — Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries — Decisions not binding EU bodies (Council Regulation No 207/2009; Council Directive 89/104) (see para. 33)

Re:

ACTION against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 5 August 2013 (Case R 2131/2012‑2) concerning an application for registration of the figurative sign BIG PAD as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

1. The action is dismissed.

2. Sharp KK is ordered to pay the costs.