1. 

EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Annulment or alteration for reasons appearing after the decision was adopted – Precluded

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)

(see paragraph 21)

2. 

EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded

(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)

(see paragraphs 22, 23)

3. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Presumption of validity of the registered mark

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

(see paragraph 27)

4. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Meaning

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))

(see paragraphs 31-36)

5. 

EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)

(see paragraph 47)

6. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive character of a sign – Criteria

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))

(see paragraphs 53, 61-63, 71)

7. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark WASHTOWER

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(c) and 59(1)(a))

(see paragraphs 56, 69, 73-79)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Orders Washtower IP BV to pay the costs.