62024TJ0555_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 24 September 2025 –Bioalchemilla and Alkemilla Eco Bio Cosmetic v EUIPO – Morale (NAMALEI)
(Case T‑555/24)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark NAMALEI – Absolute ground for invalidity – No bad faith – Article 59(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant acting in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Concept of bad faith – Scope
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 59(1)(b); Council Regulations No 40/94 and No 207/2009)
(see paragraphs 23, 25, 26)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant acting 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 – Intention of the applicant
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 59(1)(b))
(see paragraph 27)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant acting 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 – Intention of the applicant – Degree of legal protection of the signs at issue – Origin and use of the contested sign – Commercial logic underlying the registration of the contested sign as an EU trade mark – Chronology of events leading up to the filing of the trade mark application
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 59(1)(b))
(see paragraph 28)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant acting in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Figurative mark NAMALEI
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 59(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 35-40, 43, 44)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Bioalchemilla Srl and Alkemilla Eco Bio Cosmetic Srl to each bear their own costs and to pay those incurred by Mr Paolo Morale for the purposes of the proceedings before the Court;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.