Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber)of 28 January 2026 -Land Oberösterreich v EUIPO – Norma (Genussländer)
(Case T‑46/25)
( EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU word mark Genussländer – Genuine use of the mark – Article 18(1)(a) and Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Nature of use of the mark – Form differing in elements that do not alter the distinctive character of the mark )
1.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Meaning – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1), first subpara., and 58(1)(a); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Arts 10(3),(4),(6) and (7) and 19(1))
(see paragraphs 15-18)
2.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of use – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Meaning – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 25, 26)
3.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Word mark Genussländer
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 30, 39, 40, 55, 56)
4.      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 33, 34)
5.      EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Probative value of the evidence – Sworn statements
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 97(1)(f))
(see paragraphs 48, 49)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Land Oberösterreich to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Norma Lebensmittelfilialbetrieb Stiftung & Co. KG;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office to bear its own costs.