Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 12 June 2013 — MPDV Mikrolab v OHIM (Lean Performance Index)

(Case T‑598/11)

Community trade mark — Application for Community word mark Lean Performance Index — Absolute grounds for refusal — Descriptive character — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009

1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods — Word mark Lean Performance Index (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 14, 29, 45, 46)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods — Criteria (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 18, 19)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the products or services covered by the application for registration — Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register — Scope (Art. 296 TFEU; Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1), and 75) (see paras 32, 33)

Re:

APPEAL against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 15 September 2011 (Case R 131/2011-1) concerning an application for registration of the word mark Lean Performance Index as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the appeal;

2. Orders MPDV Mikrolab GmbH to pay the costs.