1. 

EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Decision on the appeal — Observance of the rights of the defence — Scope of the principle

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 70(2) and 94(1))

(see para 24, 25)

2. 

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

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1) and 94(1), first sentence)

(see paras 40-44)

3. 

EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of goods — Three-dimensional mark — Shape of a flower

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

(see para. 67, 68, 72, 73)

4. 

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

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)

(see para. 79)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Orders Refan Bulgaria OOD to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).