Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 16 October 2024

1. EU trade markProcedural provisionsRevocation proceedingsFacts and evidence not submitted within the prescribed time limitAccount takenDiscretion of the Board of Appeal

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

(see paragraphs 32, 37, 38, 44)

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

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

(see paragraphs 63-66, 131, 132)

3. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markProof of useGenuine useUse during a five-year periodConsideration of evidence concerning use outside of that periodConditions

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

(see paragraph 73)

4. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markFigurative mark FRACTALIA Remote Systems

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

(see paragraphs 74, 83, 93, 105, 118, 127, 143, 170)

5. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markProof of useGenuine useConceptCriteria for assessmentTerritorial extent of the use

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

(see paragraphs 79-81)

6. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markProof of useGenuine useConceptCriteria for assessmentCompany name, commercial name or trade name

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

(see paragraph 99)

7. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markUse by a third party with the consent of the trade mark proprietor

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 18(2))

(see paragraphs 100, 101)

8. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markUse of the mark in a form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the markSubject matter and scope of Article 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001Examination of alteration of distinctive character

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

(see paragraphs 115, 116)

9. EU trade markSurrender, revocation and invalidityGrounds for revocationLack of genuine use of the markProof of usePartial useEffectConcept of part of the goods or services covered by the registration

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

(see paragraphs 123-126, 150, 157-159)

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Fractal Analytics, Inc. to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Fractalia Remote Systems, SL;

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