Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 28 February 2018 — dm-drogerie markt v EUIPO — Digital Print Group O. Schimek (Foto Paradies)
(Case T‑843/16)
(EU trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — EU word mark Foto Paradies — Absolute ground for refusal — Lack of distinctive character — 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 — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 15-18, 26)
2. EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Marks constituted of advertising slogans — Distinctive character — Application of specific criteria for assessment — Not permissible
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 19, 20)
3. EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Word mark Foto Paradies
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 27, 33, 39)
Re:
| Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 15 September 2016 (R 1194/2015-1), relating to invalidity proceedings between Digital Print Group O. Schimek and dm-drogerie markt. |
Operative part
The Court:
2. | | Orders dm-drogerie markt GmbH & Co. KG to pay the costs. |