Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 11 September 2019 –
Orkla Foods Danmark v EUIPO (PRODUCED WITHOUT BOILING SCANDINAVIAN DELIGHTS ESTABLISHED 1834 FRUIT SPREAD)

(Case T‑34/19)

(EU trade mark — Application for EU figurative mark PRODUCED WITHOUT BOILING SCANDINAVIAN DELIGHTS ESTABLISHED 1834 FRUIT SPREAD — Absolute ground for refusal — No distinctive character — 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 distinctive character — Meaning — Criteria for assessment

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see paras 16, 18)

2.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Meaning

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see para. 17)

3.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Composite mark — Taking into account the overall perception of the mark by the relevant public

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see paras 19, 20)

4.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Figurative mark PRODUCED WITHOUT BOILING SCANDINAVIAN DELIGHTS ESTABLISHED 1834 FRUIT SPREAD

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see paras 21-27, 32)

5.      EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Legality — Examination by the EU judicature — Criteria

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)

(see para. 31)

6.      EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Power of the General Court to alter the contested decision — Limits

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(2))

(see para. 37)

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 1 October 2018 (Case R 309/2018-2), relating to an application for registration of the figurative sign PRODUCED WITHOUT BOILING SCANDINAVIAN DELIGHTS ESTABLISHED 1834 FRUIT SPREAD as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Orkla Foods Danmark A/S to pay the costs.