Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 6 September 2023 –adp Merkur v EUIPO – Play’n GO Marks (GAME OF GLADIATORS)
(Case T‑350/22) (1)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark GAME OF GLADIATORS – Earlier EU word mark Gladiator – Relative grounds for refusal – Article 8(1)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – No genuine use – Article 47(2) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.      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 – Annulment or variation for reasons appearing after judgment was delivered – Precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)
(see paragraph 16)
2.      EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72 and 95)
(see paragraph 17)
3.      EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Interpretation taking account of the rationale of Article 47(2) and (3) of Regulation 2017/1001
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraph 22)
4.      EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 23-28)
5.      EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Probative value of the evidence – Solemn declarations
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 97(1)(f))
(see paragraph 65)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders adp Merkur GmbH to bear its own costs and to pay the costs incurred by Play’n GO Marks ltd.;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.
1 OJ C 294, 1.8.2022.