EUIPO Grand Board Refuses ANIMAL FARM and 1984 Marks

The EUIPO Grand Board of Appeal has confirmed the refusal of trademark applications for the signs ANIMAL FARM and 1984. The marks were sought for goods and services in classes 9, 16, 28, and 41.

In its decision published on 27 May 2026, the Grand Board held that the signs are descriptive and devoid of distinctive character. A significant part of the relevant public would immediately recognize ANIMAL FARM and 1984 as titles of George Orwell’s novels. The Board concluded that the signs function as indications of content or subject matter rather than as source identifiers.

The applications were refused on absolute grounds under EU trademark law. The Estate of George Orwell may appeal the decision to the EU General Court.

The ruling underscores the challenges in registering marks that directly reference well-known literary works for related goods and services.

Sources: https://www.marques.org/class46/ https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearchCLW/#key/trademark/APL_20260527_R1719_2019-G_017869420