Refusal of application for a European Union trade mark

(Article 7 and Article 42(2) EUTMR)

Alicante, 26/06/2019

Klaudia Błach-Morysińska

ul. Senatorska 32/20

00-095 Warszawa

POLONIA

Application No:	018022721
Your reference:	Aff.ExpressCare.130219.fig2
Trade mark:	express care
Mark type:	Figurative mark
Applicant:	Affidea B.V. Prins Bernhardplein 200 NL-1097 JB Amsterdam PAÍSES BAJOS

The Office raised an objection on 19/03/2019 pursuant to Article 7(1)(b) and (c) and Article 7(2) EUTMR because it found that the trade mark applied for is not eligible for registration, for the reasons set out in the attached letter, which forms an integral part of this decision.

The Office maintains, that the relevant consumers would perceive the sign as providing information that the services applied for is a wide range of medical, beauty and health care -related services (together with ancillary services) that are provided in a very fast way. Therefore, the relevant consumer, notwithstanding certain stylised elements - consisting of a blue font and the word ‘express’ written in bold - would perceive the sign as providing information about the kind and quality of the services in question.

Additionally, the sign for which protection is sought, , would simply be perceived by the relevant public as a promotional laudatory slogan, the function of which is to communicate a customer service and value statement. Moreover, in the present case, the relevant public will not tend to perceive any particular indication of commercial origin in the sign beyond the promotional information conveyed, which merely serves to highlight positive aspects of the services in question, namely that the customer receives a required care, help and/or assistance in a direct, quick and/or preferential way.

The applicant failed to submit observations within the time limit. For the reasons set out in the letter of objection, and pursuant to Article 7(1)(b) and (c) and Article 7(2) EUTMR, the application for European Union trade mark No 18 022 721 is hereby rejected for all the services claimed, namely:

(Since the applicant did not provide the EN version and the list of goods and services is not translated, the original Polish version of the services in Class 44 is introduced)

Class 44 Opieka medyczna i zdrowotna; usługi klinik medycznych i opieki zdrowotnej; usługi stomatologiczne; usługi salonów piękności; pielęgnacja urody; Zabiegi kosmetyczne na ciało, twarz i włosy; usługi SPA; Usługi doradcze w zakresie dietetyki; usługi farmaceutyczne; rehabilitacja; usługi w zakresie rehabilitacji fizycznej; Usługi doradcze w zakresie opieki zdrowotnej; Kompilacja raportów medycznych; Udostępnianie informacji medycznych w dziedzinie opieki zdrowotnej.

According to Article 67 EUTMR, you have a right to appeal against this decision. According to Article 68 EUTMR, notice of appeal must be filed in writing at the Office within two months of the date of notification of this decision. It must be filed in the language of the proceedings in which the decision subject to appeal was taken. Furthermore, a written statement of the grounds of appeal must be filed within four months of the same date. The notice of appeal will be deemed to be filed only when the appeal fee of EUR 720 has been paid.

Monika Karolina SZALUCHO