1. 

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 — Aim — Need to preserve availability

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see para. 16)

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

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see paras 17-19)

3. 

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 — Word mark PERFECT BAR

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c))

(see paras 30, 51-53, 64, 76)

4. 

EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Examination of the grounds for refusal having regard to each of the products or services covered by the application for registration — Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register — Scope

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1) and 75, first sentence)

(see paras 34-36)

5. 

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

(Council Regulation No 207/2009)

(see para. 56)

6. 

EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case

(Council Regulation No 207/2009)

(see paras 57, 58)

7. 

EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Assessment of the registrability of a sign — EU rules only taken into account — Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries — Decisions not binding EU bodies

(Council Regulation No 207/2009)

(see paras 61-63)

8. 

EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal — Overlap of the scope of the grounds set out in Articles 7(1)(b) and 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b) and (c))

(see para. 69)

1. 

Annuls the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 5 September 2017 (Case R 2439/2016-4) in respect of ‘Protein supplements’ and ‘Dietary and nutritional supplements’;

2. 

Dismisses the action as to the remainder;

3. 

Orders each party to bear its own costs.