62020TJ0075_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 14 July 2021 –Abitron Germany v EUIPO – Hetronic International (NOVA)
(Case T‑75/20)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark NOVA – Non-registered earlier national trade mark NOVA – Relative ground for refusal – Article 8(4) and Article 53(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(4) and Article 60(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001, respectively) – Reference to the national law governing the earlier mark – Absolute ground for refusal – No bad faith – Article 52(1)(b) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 59(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001))
1.
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see para. 27)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Non-registered mark or another sign used in the course of trade – Conditions
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(4) and 53(1)(c))
(see para. 35)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Invalidity action based on the existence of an earlier national right – Burden of proof
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(4) and 53(1)(c))
(see para. 36)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Non-registered mark or another sign used in the course of trade – Word mark NOVA and non-registered mark NOVA
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(4) and 53(1)(c))
(see paras 38, 39)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application – Criteria for assessment – Taking into account of all relevant factors at the time of filing the application for registration – Intention of the applicant
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paras 47, 48)
6.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application – Concept of bad faith – Scope
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paras 49, 50)
7.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application – Burden of proof
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see para. 51)
8.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application – Word mark NOVA and non-registered mark NOVA
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paras 53, 61-63, 70-73)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 10 December 2019 (Case R 521/2019-4), relating to invalidity proceedings between Abitron Germany and Hetronic International.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Abitron Germany GmbH to pay the costs.