
Luxembourg (dpa) – German online retailer Spreadshirt cannot secure the well-known “I” combined with a red heart as an EU trademark in specific clothing positions. The Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg upheld the EU trademark office’s (EUIPO) decisions and dismissed Spreadshirt’s lawsuit.
EU Trademark Office Denies Registration
Spreadshirt sought to trademark three position marks featuring the “I” with heart in the left chest area, the inner label, and the neck area of garments. The EU Trademark Office rejected these applications, citing a lack of distinctiveness.
The office noted that consumers do not view these symbols as trademarks of any particular company, regardless of their placement, interpreting them instead as “I love”.
This conclusion has been reaffirmed by the EU court. The judges stated regarding the sign: “Even if it is claimed for certain exact positions, it is not suitable to distinguish the goods in question from those of other companies.”
Previously, in 2021, Spreadshirt had also failed to trademark the “I love” symbol, even without specifying a position. The EU court ruled the registration invalid due to the symbol’s composition being a widely recognized combination of signs that lacks sufficient distinctiveness. (July 9)













Leave a Reply