62020TJ0311_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 28 April 2021 –France Agro v EUIPO – Chafay (Choumicha Saveurs)
(Case T‑311/20)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark Choumicha Saveurs – Absolute ground for refusal – Bad faith – Declaration of invalidity – Article 52(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 59(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application – Concept of bad faith – Scope
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paras 21-23)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application – Criteria for assessment – Taking into account of all relevant factors at the time of filing the application for registration – Intention of the applicant
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paras 24, 41, 55)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application – Figurative mark Choumicha Saveurs
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paras 32-35, 49-51)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application – Criteria for assessment – Need to prove the existence of the likelihood of confusion between the marks at issue – Not included
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see para. 38)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application – Criteria for assessment – EU rules only taken into account – Earlier registration of the mark in certain Member States or third countries – Decisions not binding EU bodies
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see para. 40)
6.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Not included
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see para. 48)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 9 March 2020 (Case R 1621/2019-5), relating to invalidity proceedings between Ms Chafay and France Agro.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders France Agro to pay the costs.