Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 3 October 2018 –
Wajos v EUIPO (Form of a container)

(Case T‑313/17)

(EU trade mark — Application for a three-dimensional trade mark — Form of a container — Absolute ground for refusal — Distinctiveness — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

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

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

(see paras 12-14)

2.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional mark made up of the form of a container

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

(see paras 18-21, 36, 37, 39, 41)

3.      EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it — Not included

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65)

(see para. 25)

4.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment

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

(see paras 26-28, 33)

5.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Lack of distinctiveness — Trade mark made up of several elements — Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark — Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public

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

(see para. 31)

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 15 February 2017 (Case R 1526/2016-1) concerning an application for registration of a three-dimensional sign consisting of the form of a container as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Annuls the decision of the First Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 15 February 2017 (Case R 1526/2016-1);

2. Orders EUIPO to pay the costs.

2. Orders EUIPO to pay the costs.