Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 25 April 2013 — Bayerische Motoren Werke v OHIM (ECO PRO)

(Case T‑145/12)

Community trade mark — International registration designating the European Community — Word mark ECO PRO — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009

1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Overlap between the scope of the grounds for refusal set out in subparagraphs (b) and (c) of Article 7(1) of Regulation No 207/2009 (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c)) (see paras 18, 19)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark ECO PRO (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 23-32, 34)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark composed of several elements — Account taken of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see para. 24)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of OHIM of 18 January 2012 (Case R 1418/2011-4), concerning the international registration designating the European Community of the word sign ECO PRO.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Bayerische Motoren Werke AG to pay the costs.