Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 21 March 2014 — FTI Touristik v OHIM (BigXtra)

(Case T‑81/13)

Community trade mark — Application for Community word mark BigXtra — Absolute ground for refusal — No 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 — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 14, 15)

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 (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see para. 16)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks constituted of advertising slogans — Distinctive character — Application of specific criteria for assessment — Inadmissibility (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see para. 17)

4.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks constituted of advertising slogans — Flattering promotional formula (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 18-20)

5.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark BigXtra (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 22-36)

6.                     Community trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — OHIM’s previous decision-making practice (see para. 52)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 29 November 2012 (Case R 2521/2011-1), relating to an application for registration of the word sign BigXtra as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders FTI Touristik GmbH to pay the costs.