Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 22 January 2025 –  
Tecom Master v EUIPO – Michael Kors (Switzerland) International (MK MICHAEL MICHELE)

(Case T‑1053/23)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – EU figurative mark MK MICHAEL MICHELE – Earlier EU figurative mark MK MICHAEL KORS – Genuine use of the earlier mark – Article 57(2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 64(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Relative ground for invalidity – Article 8(5) and Article 53(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 8(5) and Article 60(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Annulment or alteration for reasons appearing after the decision was adopted – Not included  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)  (see paragraphs 19, 20) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 57(2) and (3))  (see paragraphs 27, 28, 30-32, 43, 53) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier 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 Article 15(1), second subpara., (a), of Regulation No 207/2009 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), second subpara., point (a), and 51(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 35-37) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an earlier identical or similar mark enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(5) and 53(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 65, 66) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an earlier identical or similar mark enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Reputation of the mark in the Member State or in the European Union – Concept – Criteria for assessment  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(5) and 53(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 73, 74) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an earlier identical or similar mark enjoying a reputation – Figurative marks MK MICHAEL MICHELE and MK MICHAEL KORS  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(5) and 53(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 79, 82, 98, 120-125) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an earlier identical or similar mark enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Determination of the dominant element or elements  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(5) and 53(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 85-87, 91, 92, 103, 110, 119) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Tecom Master, SL to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Michael Kors (Switzerland) International GmbH; |

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

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