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Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 27 September 2018

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 27 September 2018

Data

Court
General Court
Case date
27 september 2018

Verdict

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 27 September 2018 –
M J Quinlan & Associates v EUIPO — Intersnack Group (Shape of a kangaroo)

(Case T‑219/17)

"(EU trade mark - Revocation proceedings - Three-dimensional trade mark in the shape of a kangaroo - Declaration of revocation - Genuine use of the mark - Article 51(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) - Proof of genuine use - Nature of use)"

EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityCauses of revocationAbsence of genuine use of a trade markProof of use of the earlier markGenuine useMeaningCriteria for assessment

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 51(1)(a) and 78(1)(f); Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, rules 22(2) and (3) and 40(5))

(see paras 26-28)

EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markAbsolute grounds for refusalMarks devoid of any distinctive characterThree-dimensional trade marks consisting of the shape of the product itselfDistinctive characterCriteria for assessment

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(b))

(see paras 31, 32)

EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityCauses of revocationAbsence of genuine use of a trade markThree-dimensional mark consisting of the shape of a kangaroo

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1)(a) and 51(1)(a))

(see paras 34-47)

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 27 January 2017 (Case R 218/2016-2) relating to revocation proceedings between M J Quinlan & Associates Pty and Intersnack Group.

Operative part

The Court:

Dismisses the action;

Orders M J Quinlan & Associates Pty Ltd to pay the costs.