Judgments (Information) nº T-78/19 of Tribunal General de la Unión Europea, April 29, 2020

• Resolution Date: April 29, 2020
• Issuing Organization: Tribunal General de la Unión Europea
• Decision Number: T-78/19

Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 29 April 2020 - Lidl Stiftung v EUIPO - Plásticos Hidrosolubles (green cycles)

(Case T-78/19)

(EU trade mark - Revocation proceedings - European Union figurative mark green cycles - Genuine use of the mark - Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 - Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 - Article 10(3) and (4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625 - Form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character - Lack of use of the sign as a company logo)

1. EU trade mark - Surrender, revocation and invalidity - Examination of the application - Proof of use of the earlier mark - Genuine use - Definition - Criteria for assessment

   (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10(3) and (4))

   (see paras 23-25, 30-33, 74)

2. EU trade mark - Surrender, revocation and invalidity - Examination of the application - Proof of use of the earlier mark - Partial use - Effect - Definition of (some of the goods or services) covered by the registration

   (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a) and (2))

   (see para. 26)

3. EU trade mark - Surrender, revocation and invalidity - Causes of revocation - Absence of genuine use of a trade mark - Figurative mark green cycles

   (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 58(1)(a); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10(3) and (4))

   (see paras 43, 45, 58, 62, 69, 70, 80)

4. EU trade mark - Appeals procedure - Action before the EU judicature - Procedural role of the Office - Right of the Office, although designated as the defendant, to support the applicant’s claims

   (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 172)

   (see para. 47)

5. EU trade mark - Surrender, revocation and invalidity - Examination of the application - Proof of use of the earlier mark - Objective of the requirement

   (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 64(2) and (3))

   (see para. 57)

6. 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, Art. 18(1)(a))

   (see paras 66, 67)

7. EU trade mark - Surrender,...