62021TJ0467_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 19 October 2022 –DBM Videovertrieb v EUIPO – Nube (Lío)
(Case T‑467/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – European Union figurative mark Lío – Absolute ground for invalidity – Bad faith – Article 52(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 59(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant 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 – 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
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 22, 23, 27, 28, 31, 41)
2.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Concept of bad faith – Scope
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 24-26)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Criteria for assessment – Need to prove the existence of the likelihood of confusion between the marks at issue – Not included
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(1)(a) and (b), (2) and (5), 52(1)(b) and 53(1)(a))
(see paragraphs 29, 30)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Burden of proof
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 32, 33)
5.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Figurative mark Lío
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 42, 50, 60, 67, 73, 80-83)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders DBM Videovertrieb GmbH to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 382, 20.9.2021.