The General Court recently issued two Judgments where it rejected the following  marks related to gambling games on the basis that it was contrary to absolute grounds contained in Article 7(1) b) and c) of the CTMR.

For the English-speaking consumers the mark TRIPLE BONUS would immediately transmit to the consumer an obvious and direct information on the kind or the purpose of the goods and services, namely that they were games of chance whose earnings could be tripled. The meaning of the term "bonus" is that of extraordinary gain, the term "triple bonus" thus provides relevant information to choose or not a particular game of chance, on the possibility that it is possible to triple its earnings or have triple win. Therefore,  despite some stylized elements, the mark is descriptive of the type of benefits or gains that can be obtained when using these products or services and also devoid of distinctive character.

In the second case, the examiner accepted the application for registration only for electronic components in Class 9 and for education and training services in Class 41. As for the other goods/services, the English-speaking public would perceive the word ' bingo "as a reference to the bingo gambling and the adjective" big "as a reference to a large bingo game, as in exceptional or "fantastic" or grand prizes that players can win by participating in this game. This game could be practiced not only in game rooms but also online thanks to the online version. The computers and software programs in Class 9, the different machines and gaming devices in class 28, including parts and parts for these products and services in class 41 claimed by the sign applied would all be goods or services designed to enable customers to play bingo, so that the relevant public immediately recognize the sign as a description of the nature and purpose of the products. The figurative elements are, moreover, decorative and ornamental, so they would not be able to give the sign applied for the minimum of distinctiveness required.