Merz and Krell GmbH and Co: ECJ 4 Oct 2001

ECJ Trade marks – Approximation of laws – Article 3(1)(d) of First Directive 89/104/EEC – Grounds for refusal or invalidity – Trade marks which consist exclusively of signs or indications which have become customary in the current language or in the bona fide and established practices of the trade – Need for signs or indications to have become customary to designate the goods or services in respect of which registration of the mark is sought – No need for the signs or indications to be directly descriptive of the properties or characteristics of the goods or services in respect of which registration of the mark is sought.

Citations:

C-517/99, [2001] EUECJ C-517/99

Links:

Bailii

European, Intellectual Property

Updated: 04 June 2022; Ref: scu.166677