Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 27 September 2018 –M J Quinlan & Associates v EUIPO — Intersnack Group (Shape of a kangaroo)
(Case T‑219/17)
(EU trade mark — Revocation proceedings — Three-dimensional trade mark in the shape of a kangaroo — Declaration of revocation — Genuine use of the mark — Article 51(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) — Proof of genuine use — Nature of use)
1.      EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Causes of revocation — Absence of genuine use of a trade mark — Proof of use of the earlier mark — Genuine use — Meaning — Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 51(1)(a) and 78(1)(f); Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, rules 22(2) and (3) and 40(5))
(see paras 26-28)
2.      EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of any distinctive character — Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself — Distinctive character — Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 31, 32)
3.      EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Causes of revocation — Absence of genuine use of a trade mark — Three-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of a kangaroo
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1)(a) and 51(1)(a))
(see paras 34-47)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 27 January 2017 (Case R 218/2016-2) relating to revocation proceedings between M J Quinlan & Associates Pty and Intersnack Group.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders M J Quinlan & Associates Pty Ltd to pay the costs.
2.
Orders M J Quinlan & Associates Pty Ltd to pay the costs.