Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 14 December 2022 –  
Agrarfrost v EUIPO – McCain (Shape of a smiley)

(Case T‑553/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0553_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – Three-dimensional EU trade mark – Shape of a smiley – Genuine use of the mark – Article 18(1), second subparagraph, point (a), and Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Nature of use – No alteration of distinctive character)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Absolute grounds for refusal – Marks devoid of distinctive character – Three-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itself – Distinctive character – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 7(1)(b), 18(1) and 58(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 27, 28, 38, 39, 41) |

| 2. | 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 the legislation on the use of the EU trade mark  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 50, 51) |

| 3. | 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 – Three-dimensional trade mark consisting of the bi-dimensional shape of a smiling face  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 53, 54, 58, 60, 61, 75) |

| 4. | 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 – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10(3))  (see paragraphs 57, 59, 74) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

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

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0553_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 422, 18.10.2021.](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:422:TOC)

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