62023TJ0074_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 7 February 2024 –Oriflame Cosmetics v EUIPO – Caramé (O)
(Case T‑74/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – International registration designating the European Union – Figurative mark O – Earlier international registration in respect of the figurative mark O – Relative grounds for refusal – No genuine use of the earlier mark – Article 42(2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 47(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
Acts of the institutions – Temporal application – Procedural rules – Application to proceedings pending at the time when such rules enter into force
(see paragraph 21)
2.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – 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. 42(2))
(see paragraphs 26-29)
3.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Use of the mark in a form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the mark
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), second subpara., (a) and 42(2) and (3))
(see paragraph 30)
4.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Use of the mark in a form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the mark – Marque figurative O
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), second subpara., (a) and 42(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 41-43, 46, 47, 49)
5.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Power of the General Court to alter the contested decision – Limits
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 71(1) and 72(3))
(see paragraphs 52, 53)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 7 December 2022 (R 938/2022-2);
2.
Dismisses the action as to the remainder;
3.
Orders EUIPO to bear its own costs and to pay half of those incurred by Oriflame Cosmetics AG;
4.
Orders Caramé Holding AG to bear its own costs and to pay half of those incurred by Oriflame Cosmetics.
(
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)	OJ C 121, 3.4.2023.