62022TJ0019_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 29 November 2023 – Piaggio & C. v EUIPO – Zhejiang Zhongneng Industry Group (Shape of a scooter)
(Case T‑19/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – Three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of a scooter – Absolute ground for invalidity – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Distinctive character acquired through use – Article 7(3) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 7(3) of Regulation 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Legality of the decision of a Board of Appeal – Account taken, for the purposes of applying EU law, of national legislation, case-law or academic writing – Whether permissible
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65)
(see paragraph 22)
2.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Re-examination of the facts in the light of evidence not previously submitted before EUIPO bodies – Not included
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65)
(see paragraph 24)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 35-40)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Three-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of a scooter
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(b) and 52(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 54, 56-60)
5.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Invalidity proceedings concerning absolute grounds for refusal – Presumption of validity of the registered mark – Obligation for EUIPO to examine the facts of its own motion – Limit
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 52, 55 and 76(1))
(see paragraphs 65-67)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(3) and 52(2))
(see paragraphs 78-82, 90, 96)
7.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Scope – Trade mark devoid of distinctive character throughout the European Union – Acquisition through use also throughout the European Union
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(3) and 52(2))
(see paragraph 83)
8.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Probative value of the evidence
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(3) and 52(2))
(see paragraphs 84-88, 98, 115, 116)
9.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks devoid of any distinctive character – Exception – Distinctive character acquired through use – Three-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of a scooter
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(3) and 52(2))
(see paragraphs 105, 109, 113, 117-119)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 25 October 2021 (Case R 359/2021-5);
2.
Orders EUIPO and Zhejiang Zhongneng Industry Group Co. Ltd to bear their own costs and to pay those incurred by Piaggio & C. SpA.
(
1
)	OJ C 95, 28.2.2022.