Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 30 April 2019

1. EU trade markAppeals procedureAction before the EU judicatureJurisdiction of the General CourtRe-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before itNot included

(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)

(see para. 29)

2. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityApplicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark applicationCriteria for assessmentTaking into account of all relevant factors at the time of filing the application for registrationApplicant’s knowledge that a third party is using an identical or similar signIntention of the applicantDegree of legal protection of the signs at issueOrigin and use of the sign in disputeCommercial logic underlying the registration of the contested sign as an EU trade markChronology of events characterising the filing of the trade mark application

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 8(2) and (4) and 59(1)(b))

(see paras 35, 36, 38-41, 43-45, 52)

3. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityApplicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark applicationFigurative mark K

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 59(1)(b))

(see paras 57, 70, 82-85)

4. EU trade markAppeals procedureAction before the EU judicaturePower of the General Court to vary the contested decisionLimits

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))

(see para. 92)

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 15 December 2017 (Case R 3111/2014-1), relating to invalidity proceedings between Kuota International and Sintema Sport.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Annuls the decision of the First Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 15 December 2017 (Case R 3111/2014-1);

2. Dismisses the action as to the remainder;

3. Orders EUIPO to pay the costs.