62023TJ0211_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 16 October 2024 –Fractal Analytics v EUIPO – Fractalia Remote Systems (FRACTALIA Remote Systems)
(Case T‑211/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU figurative mark FRACTALIA Remote Systems – Genuine use of the mark – Article 18(1) and (2) and Article 58(1)(a) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Evidence submitted for the first time before the Board of Appeal – Article 27(4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625 – Nature of use – Assessment of evidence – Comparison of the subcategories of services used and the specification of the services covered by the mark)
1.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Revocation proceedings – Facts and evidence not submitted within the prescribed time limit – Account taken – Discretion of the Board of Appeal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(4))
(see paragraphs 32, 37, 38, 44)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use –Concept – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10(3))
(see paragraphs 63-66, 131, 132)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Use during a five-year period – Consideration of evidence concerning use outside of that period – Conditions
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraph 73)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Figurative mark FRACTALIA Remote Systems
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 74, 83, 93, 105, 118, 127, 143, 170)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Territorial extent of the use
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 79-81)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Company name, commercial name or trade name
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraph 99)
7.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Use by a third party with the consent of the trade mark proprietor
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 18(2))
(see paragraphs 100, 101)
8.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Use of the mark in a form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the mark – Subject matter and scope of Article 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 115, 116)
9.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Partial use – Effect – Concept of ‘part of the goods or services’ covered by the registration
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 123-126, 150, 157-159)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Fractal Analytics, Inc. to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Fractalia Remote Systems, SL;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.
(
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)	OJ C 235, 3.7.2023.