62024TJ0140_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 26 March 2025 –Xilin Gol League Xiyang Mutton Industry v EUIPO – Baidu Europe (baidu)
(Case T‑140/24)
(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU word mark baidu – Genuine use of the mark – Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Lack of use in connection with the goods and services in respect of which the mark is registered)
1.
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, Arts 10(3) and (4), and 19(1))
(see paragraphs 23-25, 27)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Burden of proof
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraph 28)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Word mark baidu
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 50, 51, 65, 72-76)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls points 1, 2 and 4 of the operative part of the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 3 January 2024 (Joined Cases R 373/2023-5 and R 391/2023-5);
2.
Annuls paragraph 3 of Decision C 48910 of the Cancellation Division of 15 December 2022;
3.
Dismisses Baidu Europe BV’s appeal (Case R 373/2023-5) in so far as it concerned ‘computer software used for searching, collecting, indexing and organising information within individual work stations, PCs or computer networks; computer software for use in creating indexes of information, indexes of websites or indexes of other information sources’ in Class 9;
4.
Orders EUIPO to pay the costs.