Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 14 September 2022 –  
Privatbrauerei Eichbaum v EUIPO – Anchor Brewing Company (STEAM)

(Case T‑609/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0609_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU word mark STEAM – Genuine use of the mark – Nature of use – Article 18(1), second subparagraph, heading (a), and Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Obligation to state reasons – Right to be heard – Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)  (see paragraph 16) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Revocation proceedings – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided – Well-known facts taken into account  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7, 59, 62 and 95(1))  (see paragraph 18) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU  (Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)  (see paragraphs 24, 25) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Decisions of EUIPO – Observance of the rights of the defence – Scope of the principle  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), second sentence)  (see paragraphs 34, 35) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Burden of proof  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1))  (see paragraph 45) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1))  (see paragraphs 46-50, 68, 78, 84) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Use of the mark in a form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the mark – Subject matter and scope of Article 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1))  (see paragraphs 51, 94-96) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Word mark STEAM  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1))  (see paragraphs 54, 70, 82, 85, 97, 104, 112, 113, 116, 119) |

| 9. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Probative value of the evidence – Solemn declarations  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 97(1)(f))  (see paragraphs 59, 64) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Privatbrauerei Eichbaum GmbH & Co. KG to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0609_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 471, 22.11.2021](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:471:TOC).

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