62023TJ1089_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 7 May 2025 –RTL Group Markenverwaltung v EUIPO – Örtl (RTL)
(Case T‑1089/23)
(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU figurative mark RTL – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Submission of facts and evidence for the first time before the Board of Appeal – Article 95(2) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Article 27(4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625 – Misuse of rights)
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 16, 19, 20, 91-93)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Partial use – Effect
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(2))
(see paragraphs 17, 18)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Application for revocation – Admissibility – Not subject to there being no misuse of rights or to good faith on the part of the applicant for a declaration of revocation
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 63(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 27-30)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Figurative mark RTL
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 35, 55, 82, 83, 95, 101)
5.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Revocation proceedings – Facts and evidence not submitted within the prescribed time limit – Account taken – Discretion of the Board of Appeal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(4))
(see paragraphs 45-47, 49)
6.
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 18(2))
(see paragraph 62)
7.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Trade mark having a reputation in the European Union – No effect
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 8(5), 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraph 94)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Alters the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 19 September 2023 (Case R 87/2023-2) so as to reject the application for revocation in respect of all the services in Class 35 of the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks of 15 June 1957, as revised and amended, corresponding to the following description: ‘Advertising, marketing and promotional services’;
2.
Dismisses the action as to the remainder;
3.
Orders RTL Group Markenverwaltungs GmbH, EUIPO and Ms Marcella Örtl each to bear their own costs.