Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 13 June 2014 —
K‑Swiss v OHIM — Künzli SwissSchuh (parallel stripes on a shoe)

(Case T‑85/13)

Community trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — Community figurative mark representing parallel stripes on a shoe — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (now 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 — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Concept — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 14-17)

2.                     Community trade mark — Procedural provisions — Examination of the facts of the Office’s own motion — Registration of a new trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Burden of proof (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1), and 76(1)) (see para. 18)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Figurative mark representing parallel stripes on a shoe (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 36, 42, 43)

4.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Signs constituted by a motif applied to the surface of a product — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 40, 41)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 30 October 2012 (Case R 174/2011-2), relating to invalidity proceedings between Künzli SwissSchuh AG and K-Swiss, Inc.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders K-Swiss, Inc. to pay the costs.