Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 6 September 2023 –  
adp Merkur v EUIPO – Play’n GO Marks (GAME OF GLADIATORS)

(Case T‑350/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TJ0350_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark GAME OF GLADIATORS – Earlier EU word mark Gladiator – Relative grounds for refusal – Article 8(1)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – No genuine use – Article 47(2) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Annulment or variation for reasons appearing after judgment was delivered – Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)  (see paragraph 16) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72 and 95)  (see paragraph 17) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Interpretation taking account of the rationale of Article 47(2) and (3) of Regulation 2017/1001  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3))  (see paragraph 22) |

| 4. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3))  (see paragraphs 23-28) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Probative value of the evidence – Solemn declarations  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 97(1)(f))  (see paragraph 65) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders adp Merkur GmbH to bear its own costs and to pay the costs incurred by Play’n GO Marks ltd.; |

| 3. | Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TJ0350_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 294, 1.8.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:294:TOC).

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