1. 

Judicial proceedings – Admissibility of actions – Judged by reference to the situation when the application was lodged – Decision replacing the contested decision during the proceedings – Adaptation of initial forms of order sought and pleas in law

(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 86)

(see paras 22, 23)

2. 

EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Decisions of EUIPO – Observance of the rights of the defence – Scope of the principle

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), second sentence; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(2)(a))

(see paras 38-40)

3. 

EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action brought against a decision by the Cancellation Division of EUIPO – Examination by the Board of Appeal – Scope – Evidence submitted for the first time before the Board of Appeal – Account taken – Discretion of the Board of Appeal – Limits

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(2); Commission Regulation No 2018/625, Art. 27(4))

(see paras 53-59)

4. 

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 – Criteria

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

(see paras 84-88)

5. 

EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided – Well-known facts taken into account

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7, 59, 62 and 95(1))

(see paras 91, 134-136)

6. 

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 – Figurative mark representing a lobster

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

(see paras 92, 119, 120)

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 para. 104)

8. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria

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

(see paras 114-116)

9. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Recognition of the distinctive character of the sign not subject to a finding of a specific level of linguistic or artistic creativity or imaginativeness

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

(see para. 117)

10. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Figurative mark representing a lobster

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

(see paras 122-124, 128)

1.

Dismisses the action;

2.

Orders Dochirnie pidpryiemstvo Kondyterska korporatsiia ‘Roshen’ to pay the costs.