62023TJ0514_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 23 October 2024 –İlbay v EUIPO – Pella-eu (PELLA)
(Case T‑514/23)
(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU word mark PELLA – Absolute ground for invalidity – Bad faith – 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 – 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 paragraphs 15, 21-24)
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 59(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 17-20)
3.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Burden of proof
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 59(1)(b))
(see paragraph 25)
4.
EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Applicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark application – Word mark PELLA
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 59(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 29, 30, 32, 35-38)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Ümit İlbay to bear his own costs and to pay those incurred by Pella-eu vof;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.