Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 14 July 2021 –Fashioneast and AM.VI. v EUIPO – Moschillo (RICH JOHN RICHMOND)
(Case T‑297/20)
(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU figurative mark RICH JOHN RICHMOND – Absence of genuine use of a trade mark – Article 51(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Use in a form differing in elements which alter the distinctive character of the mark – Point (a) of the second subparagraph of Article 15(1) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now point (a) of the second subparagraph of Article 18(1) of Regulation 2017/1001))
1.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Criteria for assessment
(Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rules 22(3) and 40(5))
(see para. 18)
2.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Causes of revocation – Absence of genuine use of a trade mark – Use of the mark in a form differing by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark – Subject matter and scope of Article 15(1), second subpara. (a) of Regulation No 207/2009
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), second subpara. (a) and 51(1)(a))
(see paras 22-24)
3.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Causes of revocation – Absence of genuine use of a trade mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Meaning – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1) and 51(1)(a))
(see para. 32)
4.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Causes of revocation – Absence of genuine use of a trade mark – Use of the mark in a form differing by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark – Figurative mark RICH JOHN RICHMOND
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), second subpara. (a) and 51(1)(a))
(see paras 38, 41, 45, 47, 51, 52, 57, 64, 66)
5.      EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Causes of revocation – Absence of genuine use of a trade mark – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Simultaneous use of several signs
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1) and 51(1)(a))
(see para. 39)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 16 March 2020 (Case R 1381/2019-2) relating to revocation proceedings between Moschillo, on the one hand, and Fashioneast and AM.VI., on the other.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Fashioneast Sàrl and AM.VI. Srl to pay the costs.