62021TJ0118_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 6 April 2022 –Cilem Records International v EUIPO – KVZ Music (HALIX RECORDS)
(Case T‑118/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU word mark HALIX RECORDS – Earlier national word and figurative marks HALIX RECORDS – Relative ground for refusal – Article 8(4) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Rule 19(1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 2868/95 (now Article 7(1) and (2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625))
1.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Opposition proceedings – Facts and evidence not produced in support of the opposition within the period prescribed for that purpose – Account taken – Evidence of ownership of an earlier mark acquired subsequently – Not included
(Council Regulation 207/2009, Art. 76(2))
(see paras 43, 44)
2.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Failure to adduce evidence of ownership of the earlier mark – Obligation on the Office to inform the opposing party – None
(Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rule 19(1) and (2))
(see para. 52)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an unregistered trade mark or other sign used in the course of trade – Conditions
(Council Regulation 207/2009, Art. 8(4))
(see paras 54, 55)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an unregistered trade mark or other sign used in the course of trade – Sign giving its holder the right to prohibit the use of a more recent trade mark – Burden of proof
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(4) and 76(1); Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rule 19(2)(d))
(see paras 56, 61)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Cilem Records International UG to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by EUIPO;
3.
Orders KVZ Music Ltd to bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 128, 12.4.2021.