Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 23 October 2024 –  
Olvi v EUIPO – Koninklijke De Kuyper (FIZZ Cider)

(Case T‑1132/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ1132_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – Figurative mark FIZZ Cider – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Descriptive character – No distinctive character – Article 7(1)(b) and (c) and Article 51(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (now Article 7(1)(b) and (c) and Article 59(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Evidence submitted for the first time before the Board of Appeal – Article 95(2) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Article 27(4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625 – Obligation to state reasons – Right to be heard – Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Facts and evidence not submitted in due time – Account taken – Discretion of EUIPO  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(4))  (see paragraphs 17-19, 28) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – Scope  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1))  (see paragraph 35) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Aim – Need to preserve availability  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(c) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraph 46) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Meaning  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(c) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 47, 48, 57) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Assessment of the descriptive character of a sign – Criteria  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(c) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 49, 50, 63) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds for invalidity – Marks consisting exclusively of signs or indications which may serve to designate the characteristics of a product or service – Figurative mark FIZZ Cider  (Council Regulation No 40/94, Arts 7(1)(c) and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 54, 56, 59, 60, 64, 65) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders each party to bear its own costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ1132_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) OJ C C/2024/969, 29.1.2024.

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