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Document 62016TJ0126

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 4 October 2017.
1. FC Köln GmbH & Co. KGaA v European Union Intellectual Property Office.
EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark SPÜRBAR ANDERS. — Absolute grounds for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001).
Case T-126/16.

Court reports – general

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 4 October 2017 – 1. FC Köln v EUIPO (SPÜRBAR ANDERS.)

(Case T-126/16)

(EU trade mark — Application for the EU word mark SPÜRBAR ANDERS. — Absolute grounds for refusal — No distinctive character — Article 7(1)(b) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

1. 

EU trade mark–Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark–Absolute grounds for refusal–Marks devoid of any distinctive character–Concept/Meaning/Definition–Criteria for assessment

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, 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 devoid of any distinctive character–Marks constituted of advertising slogans–Distinctive character–Application of specific criteria for assessment–Not permissible

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

(see paras 19-22)

3. 

EU trade mark–Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark–Absolute grounds for refusal–Marks devoid of any distinctive character–Marks constituted of advertising slogans–Slogan with a fantasy character

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

(see para. 23)

4. 

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

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

(see paras 32-36, 54-56, 58)

5. 

EU trade mark–Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark–Absolute grounds for refusal–Marks devoid of any distinctive character–Marks constituted of advertising slogans–Flattering promotional formula

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

(see paras 46, 47, 49)

6. 

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. 64)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 7 January 2016 (Case R 718/2015-1), concerning an application for registration of the word sign SPÜRBAR ANDERS. as an EU trade mark.

Operative part

The Court:

1. 

The action is dismissed

2. 

1. FC Köln GmbH & Co. KGaA is ordered to pay the costs.
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