New signs capable of being an EU trade mark Alexandra Crawcour - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

New signs capable of being an EU trade mark Alexandra Crawcour EUIPO Boards of Appeal Vilnius, 22 May 2019

Structure of the presentation • Definition and types of EU trade marks • Legal filing requirements – specific representation rules for the different types of EUTMs • Examples from EUIPO’s first instance and the Boards of Appeal

Definition of a EUTM Article 4 EUTMR …any signs, provided that they are capable of:  distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of another; and  being represented in a manner which enables the clear and precise determination of the subject matter of the protection afforded to its proprietor

PART I List of trade mark types • Word marks • Motion marks • Figurative marks • Multimedia marks • Shape marks • Holograms • Position marks • Pattern marks • Colour per se • Sound marks

Representation of a EUTM Article 3(1) EUTMIR A EUTMs may be represented  in any appropriate form using generally available technology, as long as  the representation is clear, precise, self-contained, easily accessible, intelligible, durable and objective

Subject matter of the EUTM registration = Scope of protection Article 3(2) EUTMIR Representation TM Type Description

PART I Specific representation rules (Art. 3 (3) EUTMR) 3D/SHAPE MARKS POSITION MARKS PATTERN MARKS  Incl. containers, packaging, the  Not protected part  Reproduction showing product itself or their disclaimed visually the pattern of repetition appearance (by broken lines or  Description kept as a  Graphic reproduction of the other) complement shape (incl. computer-  Description kept as generated imaging) or an alternative or photographic reproduction complement  No description

PART I Specific representation rules (Art. 3 (3) EUTMR) COLOURS per se SOUND MARKS  Indication of colour  Sound files suffice but codes compulsory are not the only means  Colour combinations: of representation Systematic  Musical notation still an arrangement option

PART I Motion, multimedia and hologram marks

PART I Specific representation rules MOTION MARKS = a movement or a change in the position of the elements of the mark  Video files (not for IRs!), or  Series of still images

PART I Specific representation rules MULTIMEDIA MARKS = combination of image and sound  Video files only  NO description or indication of colour

PART I Specific representation rules HOLOGRAM MARKS = trade mark consisting of elements with holographic characteristics  Video files (not for IRs!), or  Graphic or photographic reproduction containing the views necessary for sufficiently identifying the holographic effect in its entirety.

PART I Specific representation rules  ‘ Other ’ TMs - Open category for: o Any other trade mark type or combination  Not specifically regulated: o Smell o Taste o Tactile / Texture o Tracer o Gesture  Samples not acceptable

PART I First instance examples

EUTM 17492513 - Motion mark

EUTM 17794281 - Motion mark

EUTM 17364481- Motion mark

EUTM 17350901 – Motion mark

EUTM 17852187 – Motion mark

EUTM 17279704- Multimedia mark

EUTM 17411315 - Multimedia mark

EUTM 17451816 - Multimedia mark

EUTM 17282203 - Multimedia mark

EUTM 17579491- Hologram

EUTM 17993401 - Hologram

PART I Boards of Appeal examples

Motion mark - Decision 22/6/2018, R-2661/2017-5 A CHEF ADDING SALT TO A PIECE OF MEAT

Motion mark - Decision 27/11/2017, R-0820/2017-2 DEVICE OF A FLOWING CIRCULAR BLUE RING