Tractel Greifzug v EUIPO - Shenxi Machinery (Forme d'un treuil a commande motorisee) (Intellectual, industrial and commercial property : Trade marks Intellectual, industrial and commercial property : Trade marks - Judgment) French Text [2017] EUECJ T-621/15 (05 April 2017)

Tractel Greifzug v EUIPO - Shenxi Machinery (Forme d'un treuil a commande motorisee) (Intellectual, industrial and commercial property : Trade marks Intellectual, industrial and commercial property : Trade marks - Judgment) French Text [2017] EUECJ T-621/15 (05 April 2017)

The essential characteristics of the contested 3D mark, namely the finned casings of the motor and gearbox, serve technical functions such as cooling and protection. The mark is therefore excluded from registration under Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation No 207/2009 as being exclusively the shape of goods necessary...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2017] EUECJ T-621/15
Parties
Applicant: Tractel Greifzug GmbH; Respondent: Office de l’Union européenne pour la propriété intellectuelle (EUIPO); Intervener: Shenxi Machinery Co. Ltd
Jurisdiction
European Union
Procedural Posture
EUIPO Trademark Nullity Appeal / Judgment on Appeal From EUIPO Board of Appeal
Outcome
Appeal dismissed; mark declared invalid
Legal Topics
EU Trademark Law, Absolute Grounds for Refusal, Three Dimensional Marks, Technical Function Exclusion
Intellectual Property Industrial Property Commercial Property EU Trademark Law Absolute Grounds for Refusal Three Dimensional Marks Technical Function Exclusion

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Tractel Greifzug GmbH

Applicant

Office de l’Union européenne pour la propriété intellectuelle (EUIPO)

Respondent

Shenxi Machinery Co. Ltd

Intervener

Procedural Posture

EUIPO Trademark Nullity Appeal / Judgment on Appeal From EUIPO Board of Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the contested 3D mark is excluded from registration under Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation No 207/2009 as being exclusively the shape of goods necessary to obtain a technical result
  2. 2 Whether the mark has distinctive character under Article 7(1)(b)
  3. 3 Whether the mark acquired distinctiveness through use

Ratio Decidendi

The essential characteristics of the contested 3D mark, namely the finned casings of the motor and gearbox, serve technical functions such as cooling and protection. The mark is therefore excluded from registration under Article 7(1)(e)(ii) of Regulation No 207/2009 as being exclusively the shape of goods necessary to obtain a technical result. The existence of alternative shapes is irrelevant. The appeal is dismissed and the mark is declared invalid.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed; mark declared invalid

Orders

  • The appeal is rejected.
  • Tractel Greifzug GmbH is ordered to pay its own costs and those of EUIPO.