Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 12 March 2014 — Borrajo Canelo v OHIM — Tecnoazúcar (PALMA MULATA)

(Case T‑381/12)

Community trade mark — Proceedings for revocation — Community word mark PALMA MULATA — Genuine use — Article 15(1)(a) and Article 51(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctiveness

1.                     Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Causes of revocation — No genuine use of a trade mark — Use of the mark in a form differing by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark — Subject matter and scope of Article 15(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009 (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1)(a), and 51(1)(a)) (see paras 25, 26)

2.                     Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Causes of revocation — No genuine use of a trade mark — Use of the mark in a form differing by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark — Word mark PALMA MULATA (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1)(a), and 51(1)(a)) (see paras 31-40)

3.                     Community trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Legality — OHIM’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of non-discrimination — Irrelevant (Council Regulation No 207/2009) (see para. 43)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 21 May 2012 (Case R 2265/2010-2) concerning proceedings for revocation between Ana Borrajo Canelo, Carlos Borrajo Canelo and Luis Borrajo Canelo, of the one part, and Tecnoazúcar, of the other.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Ms Ana Borrajo Canelo, Mr Carlos Borrajo Canelo and Mr Luis Borrajo Canelo to pay the costs.