Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 12 February 2025 –  
Alberts v EUIPO – Techtex (Cardboard boxes [packaging])

(Case T‑245/24)

(Community design – Invalidity proceedings – Registered Community design representing a cardboard box (packaging) – Earlier national word marks – Ground for invalidity – Use in the subsequent design of a distinctive sign the holder of which has the right to prohibit such use – Article 25(1)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 – Article 27(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625 – No similarity between the goods)

| 1. | Community designs – Appeals procedure – Appeal brought against a decision taken by a department of EUIPO – Examination by the Board of Appeal – Scope – Ex officio examination of the proof of use of the earlier trade mark in invalidity proceedings – Whether permissible  (Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 63(1); Commission Delegated Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(2))  (see paragraphs 26, 27) |

| 2. | Community designs – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Action for invalidity – Examination restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided – Jurisdiction of the Board of Appeal – Ground raised by the Board of Appeal of its own motion – Precluded  (Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 63(1)  (see paragraph 40) |

| 3. | Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – Use of a distinctive sign in a subsequent design – Comparison between the contested design and the distinctive sign – Likelihood of confusion  (Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 25(1)(e))  (see paragraph 54) |

| 4. | Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – Use of a distinctive sign in a subsequent design – Comparison between the contested design and the distinctive sign – Similarity between the goods or services in question – Complementary nature of the goods or services  (Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 25(1)(e))  (see paragraphs 55, 56, 58) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Ms Adina Alberts to bear her own costs and to pay those incurred by Techtex SRL; |

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

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