Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 13 March 2014 — Heinrich v OHIM — Commission (European Network Rapid Manufacturing)

(Case T‑430/12)

Community trade mark — Invalidity proceedings — Community figurative mark European Network Rapid Manufacturing — Absolute ground for refusal — Imitation of the emblem of an international intergovernmental organisation — Article 7(1)(h) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Article 6b of the Paris Convention

1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark — Absolute grounds for refusal — Trade marks to be refused under the Paris Convention — Protection of emblems of States and international organisations — Imitation from the heraldic point of view — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(h)) (see paras 20, 21, 36-40, 47, 60-63)

2.                     Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(h) of Regulation No 207/2009 — Figurative mark European Network Rapid Manufacturing (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 7(1)(h)) (see paras 64-70)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 5 July 2012 (Case R 793/2011‑1) relating to invalidity proceedings between the European Commission and Heinrich Beteiligungs GmbH.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Heinrich Beteiligungs GmbH to bear its own costs and pay those incurred by the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM).