62023TJ0593_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 11 June 2025 –Nio v EUIPO – Audi (ES8)
(Case T‑593/23)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark ES8 – Earlier EU word mark S8 – Relative ground for invalidity – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Proof of genuine use of the earlier mark – Articles 15 and 57 of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Articles 18 and 64 of Regulation 2017/1001) – Evidence submitted for the first time before the Board of Appeal – Article 95(2) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Appeal brought against a decision of the Cancellation Division of EUIPO – Examination by the Board of Appeal – Scope – Evidence submitted for the first time before the Board of Appeal – Account taken – Discretion of the Board of Appeal – Limits
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(4))
(see paragraphs 18-21, 30, 64)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 57(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10(3))
(see paragraphs 41-46, 61)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(1)(b) and 53(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 70, 71, 102, 103, 106, 108)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(1)(b) and 53(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 74, 84, 87, 90)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Word marks ES8 and S8
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(1)(b) and 53(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 100, 104, 105, 107, 109)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Nio Holding Co. Ltd to pay the costs.