62018TJ0666_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 3 October 2019 –6Minutes Media v EUIPO — ad pepper media International (ad pepper)
(Case T‑666/18)
(EU trade mark — Revocation proceedings — Figurative mark ad pepper — Genuine use of the trade mark — Article 18(1)(a) and Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character)
1.
EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Causes of revocation — Absence of genuine use of a trade mark — Use of the mark in a form differing by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark — Subject matter and scope of Article 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))
(see paras 18, 19)
2.
EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))
(see paras 20, 21, 37, 41)
3.
EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Causes of revocation — Absence of genuine use of a trade mark — Use of the mark in a form differing by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark — Figurative mark ad pepper
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))
(see paras 30, 49, 73, 86, 100)
4.
EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Examination of the application — Proof of use of the earlier mark — Genuine use — Meaning — Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))
(see para 52-57, 65, 68, 69, 79, 80)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 20 June 2018 (Case R 839/2017-1), relating to revocation proceedings between 6Minutes Media and ad pepper media International.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders 6Minutes Media GmbH to pay the costs.