CJEU Rules on the Refusal Ground Concerning Marks Contrary to Accepted Principles of Morality

Abstract

This case comment concerns the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C‑240/18 P Constantin Film Produktion GmbH v EUIPO of 27 February 2020. The Court of Justice considered the trade mark ‘Fack Ju Göhte’ as not being contrary to accepted principles of morality under Art 7(1)(f) of the Regulation 2017/1001, setting aside the previous judgment of the General Court and simultaneously annulling the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

Keywords: Immoral trademarks, Offensive trademarks, Scandalous trademarks, Morality, Freedom of expression, Freedom of speech

JEL Classification: K39