1. 

Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign — Criteria (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c); Art. 52(1)(a); Art. 158) (see paras 16-18, 20, 40)

2. 

Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service — Word mark composed of several elements — Taking into account the overall perception of the mark by the relevant public — Linguistic knowledge of the public (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 19, 52)

3. 

Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Word mark HOT SOX (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 21, 37, 47, 49, 55)

4. 

Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7 — Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for nullity — Date of lodging the application for registration (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(a)) (see para. 44)

5. 

Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community 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. 50)

6. 

Community trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — OHIM’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality (see para. 54)

7. 

Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Concept — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 60, 61)

8. 

Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Word mark HOT SOX (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 63-66)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Orders provima Warenhandels GmbH to bear the costs.