Community trade mark - Application for Community figurative mark representing a coat of arms - Absolute ground for refusal - Imitation from a heraldic point of view of the symbol of a State- Article 7(1)(h) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 - Article 6ter of the Paris Convention.

Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 25 May 2011 – Prinz von Hannover v OHIM (Representation of a coat of arms) (Case T-397/09) Community trade mark – Application for Community figurative mark representing a coat of arms – Absolute ground for refusal – Imitation from a heraldic point of view of the symbol of a State– Article 7(1)(h) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 – Article 6ter of the Paris Convention Community trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Trade marks to be refused under the Paris Convention – Protection of emblems of States and international organisations (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(h)) (see paras 24-25,29-30) Re: ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 23 July 2009 (Case R 1361/2008-1) concerning an application for registration as a Community trade mark of a figurative sign representing the coat of arms of the house of Hanover. Information relating to the case Applicant for the Community trade mark: Ernst August Prinz von Hannover Herzog zu Braunschweig und Lüneburg Community trade mark sought: Figurative mark representing coats of arms for goods and services in Classes 16, 25, 28, 32, 33, 35, 39, 41 and 43 –Application No 5627245 Decision of the examiner: Registration refused Decision of the Board of Appeal: Appeal dismissed Operative part The Court: 1. Dismisses the action; 2. Orders Ernst August Prinz von Hannover Herzog zu Braunschweig und Lüneburg to pay the costs.