Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 12 December 2014 —
Heidrick & Struggles International v OHIM (THE LEADERSHIP COMPANY)

(Case T‑43/14)

Community trade mark — Application for Community word mark THE LEADERSHIP COMPANY — Absolute grounds for refusal — Descriptiveness — 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 capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Aim — Need to preserve availability (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see para. 17)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Concept (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 — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Word mark THE LEADERSHIP COMPANY (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 23-28)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 10 October 2013 (Case R 338/2013‑2) concerning an application for registration of the word sign THE LEADERSHIP COMPANY as a Community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. to pay the costs.