Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 12 November 2010 – Deutsche Bahn v OHIM (Vertical combination of the colours grey and red)
(Case T-405/09)
Community trade mark – Application for Community trade mark consisting in a vertical combination of the colours grey and red – Absolute ground for refusal – Lack of distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)
Community trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of any distinctive character (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b)) (see paras 26, 28-37)
Re:
ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 23 July 2009 (Case R-372/2009-1) concerning an application for registration of a colour sign, consisting in the combination of the colours grey and red, as a Community trade mark.
Information relating to the case
Applicant for the Community trade mark:
Deutsche Bahn AG
Community trade mark sought:
Trade mark consisting of the combination of the colours grey and red for services in Class 39 – Application No 6735401
Decision of the examiner:
Application refused
Decision of the Board of Appeal:
Appeal dismissed
Operative part
The Court:
1.Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Deutsche Bahn AG to pay the costs.
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