Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 7 October 2015 —
Sonova Holding v OHIM (FLEX)

(Case T‑187/14)

Community trade mark — Community word mark FLEX — Absolute grounds for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) and Article 7(2) 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 which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 12-14)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods — Word mark FLEX (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 20-29)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 12 December 2013 (Case R 357/2013-2), relating to an application for registration of the word sign FLEX as a community trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Sonova Holding AG to pay the costs.