62024TJ0059_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 23 October 2024 –BBF Company v EUIPO – Monster Energy (INSOMNIA ENERGY)
(Case T‑59/24) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark INSOMNIA ENERGY – Earlier EU figurative mark MONSTER ENERGY – Relative grounds for invalidity – Damage to reputation – Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – Identification of the subject matter of the dispute – Summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based – Abstract statement – Inadmissibility
(Statute of the Court of Justice, Art. 21, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))
(see paragraphs 25-27)
2.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Condition of admissibility – Pleas directed only against decisions of the Boards of Appeal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(1))
(see paragraph 30)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an earlier identical or similar mark enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Aim
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(5) and 53(1)(a))
(see paragraph 35)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an earlier identical or similar mark enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Similarity between the marks concerned
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(5) and 53(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 36, 42, 47)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an earlier identical or similar mark enjoying a reputation – Figurative marks INSOMNIA ENERGY and MONSTER ENERGY
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(5) and 53(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 45, 46, 48, 53, 54, 56)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Authorises BBF Company EOOD to replace Shoqëria Tregtare BBF Company SHPK as applicant;
2.
Dismisses the action;
3.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C, C/2024/2442, 8.4.2024.