62024TJ0245_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 12 February 2025 –Alberts v EUIPO – Techtex (Cardboard boxes [packaging])
(Case T‑245/24)
(Community design – Invalidity proceedings – Registered Community design representing a cardboard box (packaging) – Earlier national word marks – Ground for invalidity – Use in the subsequent design of a distinctive sign the holder of which has the right to prohibit such use – Article 25(1)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 – Article 27(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625 – No similarity between the goods)
1.
Community designs – Appeals procedure – Appeal brought against a decision taken by a department of EUIPO – Examination by the Board of Appeal – Scope – Ex officio examination of the proof of use of the earlier trade mark in invalidity proceedings – Whether permissible
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 63(1); Commission Delegated Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(2))
(see paragraphs 26, 27)
2.
Community designs – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Action for invalidity – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided – Jurisdiction of the Board of Appeal – Ground raised by the Board of Appeal of its own motion – Precluded
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 63(1)
(see paragraph 40)
3.
Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – Use of a distinctive sign in a subsequent design – Comparison between the contested design and the distinctive sign – Likelihood of confusion
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 25(1)(e))
(see paragraph 54)
4.
Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – Use of a distinctive sign in a subsequent design – Comparison between the contested design and the distinctive sign – Similarity between the goods or services in question – Complementary nature of the goods or services
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 25(1)(e))
(see paragraphs 55, 56, 58)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Ms Adina Alberts to bear her own costs and to pay those incurred by Techtex SRL;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.