1. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability

(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(c) and 51(1)(a))

(see para. 36)

2. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Concept

(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(c) and 51(1)(a))

(see para. 37)

3. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – 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 40/94, Arts 7(1)(c) and 51(1)(a))

(see paras 38, 53, 54)

4. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Registration contrary to Article 7 of Regulation No 40/94 – Relevant date for the examination of an absolute ground for nullity – Date of lodging the application for registration

(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1) and 51(1)(a))

(see paras 39, 58)

5. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Word mark HYAL

(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(c) and 51(1)(a))

(see paras 63, 69, 71, 76)

6. 

EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks composed exclusively of signs or indications capable of designating the characteristics of a product or service – Concept

(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(c) and 51(1)(a))

(see paras 66-68)

7. 

EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Decisions of the Office – Observance of the rights of the defence – Scope of the principle

(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(2)(a); Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), second sentence)

(see paras 83, 84)

8. 

EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of the EUIPO’s own motion – Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1), 59(1)(a) and 95(1))

(see para. 97)

9. 

EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU

(Art. 296 TFEU; Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)

(see para. 111)

10. 

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

(European Parliament and Council Regulation No 2017/1001)

(see paras 112-114)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Orders Fidia farmaceutici SpA to pay the costs.