CFI mops up sponge appeal

CFI mops up sponge appeal

Yesterday the Court of First Instance dismissed an application to register as a Community trade mark a ‘motif gauffre’ (yes, it’s another French-only decision …). It’s Case T 283/04 Georgia-Pacific Sàrl v OHIM. The applicant sought to register a sign (above, right) for what look like paper rolls, napkins, serviettes, sponges etc in Classes 16 and 21. Not distinctive said the examiner; not distinctive, said the Board of Appeal; not distinctive, agrees the CFI.

The IPKat agrees that the sign isn’t exactly what you’d call distinctive, but he wonders if there isn’t more to it, since the CFI’s decision takes up 62 paragraphs. So, if you speak French and love trade marks, please let us know …

How to clean kitchen sponges here
Killer sponges here