Order of the General Court of 14 November 2023 – 3M v EUIPO (Representation of two parallel luminous yellow bands separated by a silver grey band with transparent parallel slanted lines running through the three bands)

(Case T-801/22) ¹

(EU trade mark – Application for EU figurative mark representing two parallel luminous yellow bands separated by a silver grey band with transparent parallel slanted lines running through the three bands – Absolute ground for refusal – Sign consisting exclusively of the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result – Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

Language of the case: English

Parties

Applicant: 3M Company (Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States) (represented by: T. de Haan and S. Vandezande, lawyers)

Defendant: European Union Intellectual Property Office (represented by: V. Ruzek, acting as Agent)

Re:

By its action under Article 263 TFEU, the applicant seeks the annulment of the decision of the First Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 11 October 2022 (Case R 1151/2018-1).

Operative part of the order

1.    The action is dismissed.

2.    3M Company and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) shall each bear their own costs.

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¹     OJ C 54, 13.2.2023.