Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 3 October 2019 –  
6Minutes Media v EUIPO — ad pepper media International (ADPepper)

(Case T‑668/18)

(EU trade mark — Revocation proceedings — Word mark ADPepper — Genuine use of the trade mark — Article 18(1)(a) and Article 58(1)(a) and Article 95(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 — Form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character)

| 1. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Causes of revocation — Absence of genuine use of a trade mark — Use of the mark in a form differing by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark — Word mark ADPepper  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))  (see paras 26, 51, 69, 121) |

| 2. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Causes of revocation — Absence of genuine use of a trade mark — Use of the mark in a form differing by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark — Subject matter and scope of Article 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))  (see paras 33-36) |

| 3. | EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Marks devoid of distinctive character — Assessment of distinctive character — Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 7(1)(b))  (see paras 42, 43, 63, 67) |

| 4. | EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Examination of the application — Proof of use of the earlier mark — Genuine use — Meaning — Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))  (see paras 73-77, 85, 88, 89, 99,100) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 20 June 2018 (Case R 840/2017-1), relating to revocation proceedings between 6Minutes Media and ad pepper media International.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders 6Minutes Media GmbH to pay the costs. |

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