Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 14 February 2019 –  
Beko v EUIPO — Acer (ALTUS)

(Case T‑162/18)

(EU trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for EU figurative mark ALTUS — Earlier national word marks ALTOS — Revocation proceedings in respect of earlier marks initiated before national authorities — Likelihood of confusion — Suspension of the administrative proceedings — Rule 20(7)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 2868/95 (now Article 71(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625))

| 1. | EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Actions before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — Direction issued to the Office — Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(6))  (see para. 23) |

| 2. | Judicial proceedings — Application initiating proceedings — Formal requirements — Identification of the subject-matter of the dispute — Brief summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based — Unambiguous wording of the form of order sought by the applicant  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 76(1)(e))  (see para. 24) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Appeals procedure — Appeals to a Board of Appeal — Suspension of proceedings — Conditions  (Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rule 20(7)(c))  (see paras 34-36, 38, 39, 44, 53, 57) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Application for revocation — Opposition proceedings already brought on the basis of the same mark — Admissibility  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 46, 47(2), 58(1)(a) and 63(1)(a); Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rule 18)  (see para. 42) |

| 5. | EU trade mark — Observations of third parties and opposition — Examination of the opposition — Scope — Appeals procedure — Examination by the Board of Appeal — Scope — Taking into account of changes in circumstances  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 70(1))  (see para. 43) |

| 6. | EU trade mark — Effects of the EU trade mark — Rights conferred by a trade mark — Right to prohibit the use of the mark — Use of an identical or similar sign covering identical or similar products or services — Extent of the exclusive right granted to the proprietor — Period of five years following registration  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 9(2)(b), 18(1) and 58(1)(a) and (2))  (see paras 47, 48) |

| 7. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Relative grounds for refusal — Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services — Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark — Expiry of the earlier mark during the opposition proceedings — No conflict between the marks  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 8(1)(b) and 46)  (see para. 56) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 13 December 2017 (Case R 1991/2016-5) relating to opposition proceedings between Acer and Beko.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 13 December 2017 (Case R 1991/2016-5); |

| 2. | Orders EUIPO to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Beko plc. |

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