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
• f 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

List of trade mark types

• Word marks
• Figurative marks
• Shape marks
• Position marks
• Pattern marks
• Colour per se
• Sound marks
• Motion marks
• Multimedia marks
• Holograms

PART I

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

Representation Description TM Type

Article 3(2) EUTMIR

3D/SHAPE MARKS Specific representation rules (Art. 3 (3) EUTMR)



• Incl. containers, packaging, the

product itself or their appearance  Graphic reproduction of the shape (incl. computer- generated imaging) or photographic reproduction  No description

PART I

POSITION MARKS

 Not protected part disclaimed visually (by broken lines or

• ther)

 Description kept as an alternative or complement

PATTERN MARKS

 Reproduction showing the pattern of repetition  Description kept as a complement

COLOURS per se

 Indication of colour codes compulsory  Colour combinations: Systematic arrangement

Specific representation rules (Art. 3 (3) EUTMR)

PART I

SOUND MARKS

 Sound files suffice but are not the only means

• f representation

 Musical notation still an

• ption

Motion, multimedia and hologram marks

PART I

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

Specific representation rules

PART I

MULTIMEDIA MARKS

= combination of image and sound  Video files only  NO description or indication of colour

Specific representation rules

PART I

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.

Specific representation rules

PART I

 ‘Other’ TMs - Open category for:

• Any other trade mark type or combination

 Not specifically regulated:

• Smell
• Taste
• Tactile / Texture
• Tracer
• Gesture

 Samples not acceptable Specific representation rules

PART I

First instance examples

PART I

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

Boards of Appeal examples

PART I

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