Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 17 January 2024

1. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityApplicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark applicationConcept of bad faithScope

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 34-38)

2. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityApplicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark applicationCriteria for assessmentTaking into account all relevant factors at the time of filing of the application for registrationIntention of the applicantOrigin of the disputed trade markCommercial logic underlying the registration of the contested sign as an EU trade markChronology of events leading up to the filing of the trade mark application

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 30-41, 76)

3. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityApplicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark applicationBurden of proof

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 42, 43, 77)

4. EU trade markProcedural provisionsStatement of reasons for decisionsArticle 94(1), first sentence, of Regulation 2017/1001Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEURecourse by the Board of Appeal to implicit reasoningWhether permissibleConditions

(Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)

(see paragraphs 44, 45)

5. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityAbsolute grounds for invalidityApplicant in bad faith when filing the trade mark applicationWord mark ATHLET

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 52-60, 80)

6. EU trade markAppeals procedureAppeal brought against a decision of the Cancellation Division of EUIPOExamination by the Board of AppealScopeEvidence submitted for the first time before the Board of AppealAccount takenDiscretion of the Board of Appeal

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(4))

(see paragraph 67)

7. EU trade markProceedings before the adjudicating bodies of EUIPOObligation of EUIPO, including the Boards of Appeal, to adopt decisions within a reasonable time

(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(1); European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)

(see paragraphs 85-87)

8. EU trade markDecisions of EUIPOObservance of the rights of the defenceScope of the principle

(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1))

(see paragraphs 91, 97)

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Athlet Ltd to bear its own costs and to pay Heuver Banden Groothandel BV’s costs;

3. Orders EUIPO to bear its own costs.