• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
+49 (0) 69 / 606 278 – 0
[email protected]
Contact form
Patent- & Rechtsanwaltskanzlei

Patent- & Rechtsanwaltskanzlei

  • Deutsch

+49 (0) 69 / 606 278 – 0

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • xing
  • Email
MENUMENU
  • Services
    • Advice On Protective IP Rights
    • Patent Application /TM Registration
    • Enforcement Of IP Rights
    • Defence Against IP Rights Enforcement
    • Costs
  • Company
    • Fields of Law
      • Patent Law
      • Utility Model Law
      • Employees‘ Inventions
      • Trademark Law
      • Design Law
      • Trademark and Product Piracy
      • Expert Opinions
    • Our Law Firm
      • Dr. Karl-Hermann Meyer-Dulheuer
      • Dr. Tim Meyer-Dulheuer
      • Dr. Klaus Zimmermann
      • Zhichao Ying
      • Dr. Christoph Hölscher
    • Commitment
  • Contact
    • Where To Find Us
    • Write us!
    • Request call back
  • Blog

CFI ruled: Red Bull cannot protect its colour combination mark

1. December 2017

The Austrian beverage giant Red Bull cannot have a combination of blue and silver protected as a colour trademark. The European Court of Justice (CFI) confirmed yesterday nullity of its registered colour Community trade mark.

Red BullThe case of Red Bull versus EUIPO and Optimum Mark was negotiated (Case T-101/15 and T 102/15). The dispute centres on the registered Community trade mark No. 2 534 774, a representation of the colours blue and silver, which is registered on the applicant Red Bull GmbH. The Polish company Optimum Mark filed an action for annulment against this registration of the colour mark, which Red Bull fought against. Yesterday, the European Court of Justice has now confirmed that Red Bull cannot protect its colour combination mark.

The case has already been tried several times

  • October 2013: Decision of the Cancellation Division deciding that the colour mark is invalid because it is devoid of distinctive character in accordance with Article 7 (1)(b) of the Community Trade Mark Regulation.
  • December 2014: The First Board of Appeal upholds the invalidity of the colour mark
  • April 2015: Red Bull appeals (Case T-101/15)

CFI confirms nullity of colour mark

In the description of the brand, Red Bull only listed the two colours and a ratio of about 50:50, a court spokesman was quoted in a short article in the Bildzeitung. But that is not enough from the point of view of the court. For a clearly distinguishable colour mark, a more precise description of the composition is necessary.

In addition, there is the question of systematic arrangement, which can also play an important role for color marks, especially for color combinations. The display of a systematic arrangement may be necessary if this arrangement is not visible from the graphical representation.

The Court dismissed the action and upheld the Board of Appeal’s decision. Red Bull may appeal the decision.

Registration of colour marks in German law is often difficult

Abstract colour marks are generally devoid of distinctive character and are therefore not registrable under Section 8.2 Nr. 1 MarkenG because the addressed trade regularly perceives a colour as a decorative element and not as a product label.

However, an original distinctive character of an abstract colour mark can be assumed if:
1. a very specific market affecting only a limited range of goods would be affected
2. the use of these colours in this market is either unusual at all or at least the specific colour is extremely unusual.
3. the traffic is accustomed to the use of colours as a marking agent in the long term through appropriate industry practice

 

Do you need a patent attorney to defend your trademark against potential infringement?

Our attorneys are experienced in all areas of intellectual property and can help you wherever you need a professional. Contact us now to recieve a non-binding call-back from our attorneys.

CAT-call_en
Source:

text:

Curia T 101/15

picture:

noelsch /pixabay.com / CCO License  

  • share  
  • share 
  • share 
  • tweet 
  • share 

Category iconTrademark Law Tag iconEU,  Red Bull

Primary Sidebar

More articles about: Trademark Law

All articles

Blog Menu

  • Design Law
  • Healthcare & Lifesciences
  • International Intellectual Property
  • Licenses
  • News from our law firm
  • Overall
  • Patent Law
  • Product- and Trademark piracy
  • Trademark Law

Recent Posts

  • BPatG: Patent claim of cancer drug on active substance as salt 7. March 2022
  • Grant for European IP Protection: SME Fund 2022 4. March 2022
  • CODE-X vs. Cody’s: Likelihood of confusion in drinks? 25. February 2022
  • EOS lip balm no 3D trademark – appeal before ECJ not admissible 24. February 2022

Fields of Law

  • Patent Law
  • Utility Model Law
  • Employees’ Inventions
  • Trademark Law
  • Design Law
  • Trademark and Product Piracy
  • Expert Opinions
  • Costs

Das könnte Sie auch interessieren:

4. March 2022
Grant for European IP Protection: SME Fund 2022

Grant for European IP Protection: SME Fund 2022

25. February 2022
CODE-X vs. Cody’s: Likelihood of confusion in drinks?

CODE-X vs. Cody’s: Likelihood of confusion in drinks?

24. February 2022
EOS lip balm no 3D trademark – appeal before ECJ not admissible

EOS lip balm no 3D trademark – appeal before ECJ not admissible

21. February 2022
CFI: Pumpkin seed oil + PGI symbol

CFI: Pumpkin seed oil + PGI symbol

15. February 2022
SPOTIFY v POTIFY – a ‘pot’ app

SPOTIFY v POTIFY – a ‘pot’ app

10. February 2022
CFI: Shoes MADE IN ITALY

CFI: Shoes MADE IN ITALY

Contact us or request a call back

+49 (0) 69 / 606 278 – 0
[email protected]
Request a call back

Footer

Contact

Hanauer Landstrasse 287
D – 60314 Frankfurt am Main
Deutschland
+49 (0) 69 / 606 278 – 0
+49 (0) 69 / 606 278 – 199
[email protected]

Office Hours
Moday – Friday:   08:00-18:00

Fields of Law

  • Patent Law
  • Utility Model Law
  • Employees’ Inventions
  • Trademark Law
  • Design Law
  • Trademark and Product Piracy
  • Expert Opinions
  • Costs

Law Firm

  • Request non-binding call back
  • Company
  • Our Law Firm
  • ISO Certificate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Data handling for clients
  • Imprint

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • xing
  • Email

Newsletter Signup

© Patent- & Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Meyer-Dulheuer MD Legal Patentanwälte PartG mbB

Contact Form

 

Give us a call, send us an email or fill out the contact form.

+49 (0) 69 / 606 278 – 0
[email protected]

Kontaktformular

 

Rufen Sie uns an, schicken Sie uns eine Mail oder füllen Sie das Kontaktformular aus.

+49 (0) 69 / 606 278 – 0
[email protected]