Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 6 September 2023

1. EU trade markAppeals procedureAction before the EU judicatureCondition of admissibilityPleas directed only against decisions of the Boards of Appeal

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 58(1)(a) and 72(1))

(see paragraph 16)

2. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityApplication for revocationAdmissibilityNot subject to good faith on the part of the applicant for revocation

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 63(1)(a))

(see paragraph 20)

3. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markProof of useGenuine useConceptCriteria for assessmentRequirement for solid and objective evidence

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1), first subpara., and 58(1)(a); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Arts 10(3) and 19(1))

(see paragraphs 21, 23-27, 49)

4. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markProof of useBurden of proof

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1), first subpara., and 58(1)(a); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Arts 10(3) and 19(1))

(see paragraphs 28, 47, 50)

5. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markProof of useUse during the relevant periodConsideration of evidence concerning use outside of that periodConditions

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1), first subpara., and 58(1)(a); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Arts 10(3) and 19(1))

(see paragraph 46)

6. EU trade markAppeals procedureAction before the EU judicaturePower of the General Court to alter the contested decisionLimits

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

(see paragraph 56)

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Consultora de Telecomunicaciones Optiva Media, SL to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Optiva Canada Inc.;

3. Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.