62024TJ0250_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 30 April 2025 –Serana Europe v EUIPO – Cytogen Produkte für Medizin + Forschung (Lymphogrow)
(Case T‑250/24)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU word mark Lymphogrow – Non-registered earlier signs Lymphogrow – Relative ground for refusal – Use in the course of trade of a sign of more than mere local significance – Article 8(4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of a non-registered trade mark or of another sign used in the course of trade – Conditions
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(4))
(see paragraph 14)
2.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of a non-registered trade mark or of another sign used in the course of trade – Use of the sign in the course of trade – Meaning
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 8(4) and 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 16-18)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of a non-registered trade mark or of another sign used in the course of trade – Local significance of the sign – Criteria for assessment – Medical equipment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(4))
(see paragraphs 19-22, 34, 43-46)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of a non-registered trade mark or of another sign used in the course of trade – Word mark Lymphogrow and non-registered trade marks Lymphogrow
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(4))
(see paragraphs 40, 41, 47-50, 57)
5.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Appeals before the Boards of Appeal – Competence of the Boards of Appeal – Remittal to the department which was responsible for the decision appealed
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 71(1))
(see paragraph 61)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Serana Europe GmbH to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by CYTOGEN – Produkte für Medizin + Forschung GmbH;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.