The Italian company reportedly wanted to use an image of a black bat inside a white oval on some of its products, arguing that people wouldn't necessarily associate the symbol with Batman. Unsurprisingly, the EUIPO rejected the request. However, Commerciale Italiana Srl wasn't prepared to let the matter lie and escalated their application to the European General Court, which also ruled against the retailer.

"The evidence submitted to the General Court is not sufficient to show that the EU trademark representing a bat in an oval surround was devoid of distinctive character on the date of filing of the application for registration," the Court ruled.

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Updated by Alice Cattley

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