62022TJ0102_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 1 March 2023 –Transgourmet Ibérica v EUIPO – Aldi (Gourmet)
(Case T‑102/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark Gourmet – Earlier national word mark GOURMET – Relative ground for invalidity – Distinctive character of earlier mark – Genuine use of the earlier mark – Form differing in elements which alter the distinctive character)
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an identical or similar earlier mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Coexistence of earlier marks – Recognition of a certain degree of distinctiveness of a national mark
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 8(1)(b) and 52(1); European Parliament and Council Directive 2008/95, Art. 3(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 23-26)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Meaning – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 15(2), 52(1) and 56(2) and (3); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10(4))
(see paragraphs 33-36, 64)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier 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 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 15(2), 52(1) and 56(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 70-75, 81)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 14 December 2021 (Case R 862/2021-2);
2.
Dismisses the action as to the remainder;
3.
Orders EUIPO to bear its own costs and to pay all the costs incurred by Transgourmet Ibérica, SAU.
(
1
)	OJ C 165, 19.4.2022.