Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 16 March 2016 —
Työhönvalmennus Valma v OHIM (Shape of game chest containing wooden blocks)

(Case T‑363/15)

Community trade mark — Application for a three-dimensional Community trade mark — Shape of game chest containing wooden blocks — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — No distinctive character acquired through use — Article 7(3) of Regulation 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 para. 12)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional mark constituted by the shape of the product — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 13-16, 21)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional mark in the shape of a game chest containing wooden blocks (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 18-20, 30, 31, 50, 52)

4.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Scope — Trade mark devoid of distinctive character throughout the EU — Acquisition by use also throughout the EU (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 1(2), and 7(2) and (3)) (see paras 34-37, 41-43)

5.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Exception — Distinctive character acquired through use — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(3)) (see paras 38-40)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 4 May 2015 (Case R 1690/2014-2) concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign in the shape of a game chest containing wooden blocks as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Työhönvalmennus Valma Oy to pay the costs.