Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 4 September 2024 –  
Tertianum v EUIPO – DPF (TERTIANUM)

(Case T‑73/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0073_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – International registration designating the European Union – Figurative mark TERTIANUM – International registration of the earlier figurative mark Tertianum WOHNEN UND LEBEN IM DRITTEN ALTER – Relative ground for refusal – No likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – No genuine use of the earlier mark – Article 42(2) and (3) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 47(2) and (3) of Regulation 2017/1001) – Nature of use – Proof of genuine use)

| 1. | 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 42(2) and (3) of Regulation No 207/2009  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 42(2) and (3))  (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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 42(2) and (3); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10(3))  (see paragraphs 22, 23, 25, 47, 48) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Lodging of application for EU trade mark – Identification of the goods or services concerned by the trade mark – Use of the general indications in the headings of the classes of the Nice classification – Scope  (see paragraphs 45, 49, 50, 63-67) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Identification of the goods or services concerned by the trade mark – Requirements of clarity and precision – Determination, by the competent authorities and the economic operators, of the extent of the protection conferred by the trade mark – Limits – Observance of the principles of predictability and legal certainty – Interpretation leading to an absurd result not permissible  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 42(2) and (3))  (see paragraph 87) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Tertianum AG to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0073_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 121, 3.4.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:121:TOC).

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