Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 19 October 2022 –  
Castel Frères v EUIPO – Shanghai Panati (Representation of Chinese characters)

(Case T‑323/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0323_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – EU figurative mark representing Chinese characters – Genuine use of the trade mark – Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Alteration of the distinctive character)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(1)(a))  (see paragraph 13) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Grounds for revocation – Lack of genuine use of the mark – Proof of use – Simultaneous use of several signs  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))  (see paragraph 14) |

| 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 – Subject matter and scope of Article 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 15, 16, 19-23) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Definition – Mark used only as an element of a composite mark or in conjunction with another mark  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))  (see paragraph 17) |

| 5. | 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 – Figurative mark representing Chinese characters  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a))  (see paragraphs 45-48, 52, 55, 56) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraph 59) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Castel Frères to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0323_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 310, 2.8.2021](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:310:TOC).

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