62023TJ0054_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 17 July 2024 –W. B. Studio v EUIPO – E.Land Italy (BF BELFE)
(Case T‑54/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU figurative mark BF BELFE – Genuine use of the mark – Partial revocation – Article 18(1), second subparagraph, point (b), and Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Affixing of the trade mark to goods or to the packaging thereof in the European Union solely for export purposes – Proof of genuine use – No purely internal use – Article 19 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625)
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 17-20, 22, 33, 45)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Figurative mark BF BELFE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 28, 34, 50, 61, 67, 78, 86)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Concept – Determination of a minimal quantitative use threshold – Precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 71, 72)
4.
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, Arts 58(1)(a) and 95(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Arts 10(7) and 19(1))
(see paragraph 82)
5.
Judicial proceedings – Costs – Litigation concerning intellectual property rights – Recoverable costs – Costs necessarily incurred by the parties for the purposes of the proceedings before the Board of Appeal
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 190(2))
(see paragraphs 91, 92)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders W.B. Studio Sas di Wivian Bodini & C. to pay the costs.
(
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)	OJ C 104, 20.3.2023.