62021TJ0703_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 25 January 2023 –Zielonogórski Klub Żużlowy Sportowa v EUIPO – Falubaz Polska (FALUBAZ)
(Case T‑703/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark FALUBAZ – Absolute ground for invalidity – Bad faith – Article 52(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 59(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Criteria for assessment – Taking into account all relevant factors at the time of filing of the application for registration – Applicant’s knowledge that a third party is using an identical or similar sign – Intention of the applicant – Degree of legal protection of the signs at issue – Origin and use of the contested sign – Commercial logic underlying the registration of the contested sign as an EU trade mark – Chronology of events leading up to the filing of the trade mark application
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 49, 50, 60-65, 82, 93)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Concept of bad faith – Scope
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 57-59)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Burden of proof
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 66, 67)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Word mark FALUBAZ
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 77, 84, 86-88, 99)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Zielonogórski Klub Żużlowy Sportowa S.A. to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 11, 10.1.2022.