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

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

other)

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 of representation

Musical notation still an option

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:

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

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