62021TJ0353_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 7 September 2022 –KTM Fahrrad v EUIPO – KTM (R2R)
(Case T‑353/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU word mark R2R – Declaration of revocation – Genuine use of the trade mark – Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Proof of genuine use – Proper reason for non-use)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Condition of admissibility – Grounds of appeal directed only against decisions of the Boards of Appeal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(1))
(see paragraph 18)
2.
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) and 58(1))
(see paragraphs 28-31, 34, 35, 43)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Meaning – Determination of a minimal quantitative use threshold – Precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1))
(see paragraphs 32, 33)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Word mark R2R
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1))
(see paragraphs 45-48, 61)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Concept of ‘proper reasons’ for non-use – Independent and uniform interpretation – Obstacles bearing a direct relation to the trade mark rendering its use unreasonable or impossible and independent of the volition of the trade mark proprietor
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1))
(see paragraphs 57-59)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders KTM Fahrrad GmbH to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 320, 9.8.2021.