62021TJ0366_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 22 March 2023 –Coinbase v EUIPO – bitFlyer (coinbase)
(Case T‑366/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – International registration designating the European Union – Word mark coinbase – Absolute ground for invalidity – Bad faith – Article 52(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 59(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Criteria for assessment – Taking into account all relevant factors at the time of filing of the application for registration – Applicant’s knowledge that a third party is using an identical or similar sign – Applicant’s knowledge of such use in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Need to undertake an overall analysis
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 33-35, 38)
2.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Power of the General Court to alter the contested decision – Limits
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))
(see paragraph 54)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 29 April 2021 (Case R 1751/2020-4);
2.
Orders EUIPO to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 338, 23.8.2021.