Order of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 11 September 2019 –
ruwido austria v EUIPO (transparent pairing)

(Case T‑649/18)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark transparent pairing — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

1.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Meaning

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see para. 19)

2.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see para. 20)

3.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Distinctive character — Application of specific criteria for assessment — Not permissible

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see paras 21, 22)

4.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Laudatory promotional formula

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see para. 23)

5.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Word mark transparent pairing

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see paras 28, 36-38)

6.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Marks consisting of advertising slogans — Slogan carrying an objective message

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see para. 35)

7.      EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Statement of reasons for decisions — First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation No 2017/1001 — Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU

(Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, art. 94(1), first sentence)

(see para. 41)

8.      EU trade mark — Procedural provisions — Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion — Registration of a new trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Burden of proof

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1))

(see para. 46)

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 30 August 2018 (Case R 2487/2017-2), relating to an application for registration of the word sign transparent pairing as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

1. The action is dismissed.

2. ruwido austria GmbH shall pay the costs.