Corte di giustizia UE n. 2017/2020

62019TO0307_INF Order of the [OSCURATO:PERSONA] ([OSCURATO:PERSONA]) of 2 April 2020 – SQlab v EUIPO (Innerbarend) (Case T‑307/19) (Action for annulment — EU trade mark — Application for EU word mark Innerbarend — Absolute ground for refusal — Descriptive character — Article 7(1)(c) of [OSCURATO:PERSONA] (EU) 2017/1001 — Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law) 1. 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 — Aim — Need to preserve availability ([OSCURATO:PERSONA] and [OSCURATO:PERSONA] 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see para. 13) 2. 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 — Definition ([OSCURATO:PERSONA] and [OSCURATO:PERSONA] 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 14, 15) 3. 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 — Assessment of the descriptive nature of a sign — Criteria ([OSCURATO:PERSONA] and [OSCURATO:PERSONA] 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 16-18, 24, 27, 31) 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 — Word mark Innerbarend ([OSCURATO:PERSONA] and [OSCURATO:PERSONA] 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see paras 28, 29, 34, 37, 40) 5. EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Assessment of the registrability of a sign — EU rules only taken into account — Decisions of national authorities not binding EU bodies ([OSCURATO:PERSONA] and [OSCURATO:PERSONA] 2017/1001) (see para. 32) 6. EU trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case ([OSCURATO:PERSONA] and [OSCURATO:PERSONA] 2017/1001) (see para. 33) 7. 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 — Definition — Sign that is descriptive of a characteristic of a component in a product — Included ([OSCURATO:PERSONA] and [OSCURATO:PERSONA] 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(c)) (see para. 36) Re: Action brought against the decision of the [OSCURATO:PERSONA] of Appeal of EUIPO of 18 March 2019 (Case R 2180/2018-4) relating to an application for registration of the word sign Innerbarend as an EU trade mark. Operative part 1. The action is dismissed. 2. SQlab GmbH shall pay the costs.