1. 

Action for annulment – Jurisdiction of the EU judicature – Request that directions be issued to an institution – Precluded

(Art. 263 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(6))

(see paragraph 9)

2. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Concept of distinctiveness

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

(see paragraph 14)

3. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Assessment of distinctive character – Criteria – Perception of the trade mark by the relevant public

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

(see paragraphs 15, 19, 20)

4. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Trade mark made up of several elements – Possible for the competent authority to examine each of the elements making up the trade mark – Need to take account of the overall perception of the combination by the relevant public

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

(see paragraph 24)

5. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Word mark TRADEPRO

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

(see paragraphs 25-29, 33, 36, 38)

6. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Refusal of registration based on one of the absolute grounds for refusal set out in Article 7(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Whether sufficient

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

(see paragraph 44)

7. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Refusal to register on an absolute ground of refusal existing in only part of the Union

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(2))

(see paragraph 45)

8. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Separate examination of the various grounds for refusal – Interpretation of the grounds for refusal in the light of the public interest underlying each of them – Use of a criterion that is relevant in the context of Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation 2017/1001 in the interpretation of subparagraph (b) of that provision – Not permissible

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

(see paragraphs 48, 49)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Orders ITB GmbH and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) each to bear their own costs.