Het Gerecht bevestigt de afwijzing van de Gemeenschapsmerkaanvraag op grond van artikel 7(1)(c) GMeV ten aanzien van het teken “CARBON GREEN” voor ‘reclaimed rubber’. Het teken is beschrijvend voor het relevante publiek (gespecialiseerde Engelssprekende consumenten), nu de woorden ‘carbon’ en ‘green’ kenmerken van de betrokken waar aanduiden. Het teken mist derhalve ook onderscheidend vermogen.
23 Moreover, although it is true, as the applicant claims, that carbon is a widespread chemical element present in different forms in numerous goods, the fact nevertheless remains that in the present case it constitutes an essential characteristic of the goods in question. Indeed, the actual description of the goods states specifically that the goods consist of ‘carbonaceous materials’ or ‘materials obtained from … char’. Furthermore, a specialised public familiar with the relevant industrial and engineering context such as that in the present case is able to identify the goods in which the presence of carbon – to a greater or lesser degree – denotes a particular characteristic. Therefore, as OHIM correctly points out, that relevant public will perceive the word ‘carbon’ as providing information on the composition of the goods.
25 As for the word ‘green’, the parties agree on the fact that in the present case, it denotes ecological benefits. However, it is apparent from the actual description of the goods concerned, which refers to ‘reclaimed’ and ‘recycled’ goods, that a feature of the goods is that they contribute to maintaining ecological balance. In that context, the word ‘green’ has a direct and specific relationship with the goods concerned, and enables the relevant public to perceive immediately, without further thought, a description of a characteristic of those goods.
Lees het arrest hier.