62021TJ0521_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 7 September 2022 –6Minutes Media v EUIPO – ad pepper media International (ad pepper the e-advertising network)
(Case T‑521/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU figurative mark ad pepper the e-advertising network – Genuine use of the mark – Article 51(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
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
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), and 51(1)(a); Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rules 22(2), and 40(5))
(see paragraphs 18, 19, 68-70, 77, 79-81)
2.
Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – Summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based – Pleas in law not set out in the application – General reference to other documents – Inadmissibility
(Statute of the Court of Justice, Art. 21, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))
(see paragraphs 24-26)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Use by a third party with the consent of the trade mark proprietor
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(2), and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraph 28)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Use of the mark in a form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the mark – Subject matter and scope of Article 15(1), second paragraph, (a), of Regulation No 207/2009 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), second subpara., (a), and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 34-36, 43)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Figurative mark ad pepper the e-advertising
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 59, 60, 84, 91, 103, 126)
6.
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 – Company name, commercial name or trade name
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 88, 89)
7.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Simultaneous use of several signs
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), and 51(1)(a))
(see paragraph 90)
8.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Probative value of the evidence – Solemn declarations
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 97(1)(f))
(see paragraphs 99, 100)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders 6Minutes Media GmbH to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 422, 18.10.2021.