Win-situatie
GvEA, 17 oktober, zaak T-105/06, InterVideo Inc. tegen OHIM (Alleen beschikbaar in het Frans en het Engels).
Weigering beeldmerk (voor zover je van een beeldmerk kan spreken) WinDVD Creator op grond van artt 4 jo. 7 lid 1 sub b GMVO. Dat DvD Creator beschrijvend is lijdt geen twijfel, in geding is de beschrijvendheid van het bestanddeel WIN, dat volgens het OHIM beschrijft dat het product betrekking heeft op het Windows besturingssysteem.
Het Gerecht volgt de redenering van het OHIM en wijst het beroep af. Voer voor de discussie over de beschermingsomvang van (zeer) bekende merken. Kan een merk beschrijvend zijn voor de zijn eigen producten, maar tegelijkertijd gebruik door anderen tegengaan?
“44. It is common ground that Windows, the operating system of Microsoft Corporation, is commonly used in the information technology field by average personal computer users. There is no doubt that among those personal computer users, including even those who use a computer for their personal or professional activities on a daily basis, there are many who are unfamiliar with both the technical details of the functioning of the Windows operating system and information technology language in general. Although it is true that not all personal computer users have such specific knowledge in the field, the word ‘win’ where it appears in relation to computers, and in particular software, will automatically and immediately be understood by the majority as an abbreviation or a shortened reference to Windows. Thus, an average personal computer user will be led to believe that the word ‘win’ refers to the Windows system in the context of information technology.
45.Furthermore, the fact that ‘win’ may also be understood as a reference to the English verb ‘to win’ or as having no particular meaning does not call into question the finding that the sign at issue is descriptive of the characteristics of the goods it designates. A word sign must be refused registration under Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation No 40/94 if at least one of its possible meanings designates a characteristic of the goods or services concerned (Case C-191/01 P OHIM v Wrigley [2003] ECR I-12447, paragraph 32, and NURSERYROOM, paragraph 19).
46. Therefore, there is a direct link between the sign WinDVD Creator and the goods concerned, since the sign, taken as a whole, constitutes a direct reference to the intended use and, therefore, one of the characteristics of the goods in respect of which registration is sought. The sign immediately and unequivocally informs the relevant consumers that the goods covered by the application for registration are used to make DVDs.
(…) 48. Furthermore, the figurative element of the sign consists solely of the use of a typeface which is not very distinctive, the effect of which is to place more emphasis on its verbal elements. In the light of the recurrent nature of the typographical features of the mark applied for, and the absence of any particular distinctive element, the typeface used and the differences in the boldness of the characters do not enable the trade mark applied for to constitute a clear and exclusive reference, in the mind of the relevant public, to the origin of the goods covered by the application for registration. Thus, the figurative elements are so ordinary that they do not endow the trade mark applied for as a whole with any distinctive character. Those elements do not possess any feature, in particular in terms of fancifulness or as regards the way in which they are combined, allowing that mark to fulfil its essential function in relation to the goods covered by the trade mark application (see, to that effect, Case C-37/03 P BioID v OHIM [2005] ECR I-7975, paragraphs 71 and 74).
49. It is clear from the foregoing that the Board of Appeal rightly held that the mark WinDVD Creator described in English in a simple and direct manner the function or intended use of the goods in respect of which registration had been sought.
Lees het arrest hier.
