Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Single Judge) of 26 April 2023 –  
Rochem Group v EUIPO – Rochem Marine (ROCHEM)

(Case T‑549/21) (
[1](#t-ECR_62021TJ0549_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – International registration designating the European Union – Figurative mark ROCHEM – Earlier national figurative mark ROCHEM MARINE – Relative ground for invalidity – Proof of genuine use of the earlier mark – Articles 15 and 57(2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Articles 18 and 64(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))

| 1. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Interpretation taking account of the rationale of Article 57(2) and (3) of Regulation No 207/2009  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 57(2) and (3))  (see paragraph 32) |

| 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  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 57(2) and (3))  (see paragraphs 33, 36) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Application of the criteria to the case in question  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 57(2) and (3))  (see paragraph 34) |

| 4. | 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 paragraph 35) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Relative grounds for invalidity – Existence of an identical or similar earlier mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative marks ROCHEM and ROCHEM MARINE  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 57(2) and (3))  (see paragraphs 47-49, 54, 56-58, 65) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Examination of the application – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Company name or trade name  (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 57(2) and (3))  (see paragraph 60) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Rochem Group AG to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62021TJ0549_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 422, 18.10.2021](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2021:422:TOC).

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