Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 30 January 2015 — Now Wireless v OHIM — Starbucks (HK) (now)

(Case T‑278/13)

Community trade mark — Revocation proceedings — Community figurative mark now — Genuine use of the mark — Article 51(1)(a) and Article 51(2) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009

1.                     Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Examination of the application — Proof of use of the earlier mark — Genuine use — Concept — Criteria for assessment — Requirement of solid and objective evidence (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), 51 and 57(2) and (3)) (see paras 15, 16, 19)

2.                     Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Examination of the application — Proof of use of the earlier mark — Partial use — Effect — Concept of ‘part of goods or services’ concerned by registration (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 57(2) and (3)) (see paras 24, 25, 27)

3.                     Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Examination of the application — Proof of use of the earlier mark — Use by a third party with the consent of the trade mark proprietor — Burden of proof (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 15(2)) (see paras 34, 36)

4.                     Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Examination of the application — Proof of use of the earlier mark — Use by a third party with the consent of the trade mark proprietor — Express or implied consent (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 15(2)) (see paras 35, 38)

5.                     Community trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Examination of the application — Proof of use of the earlier mark — Genuine use — Concept — Criteria for assessment — Territorial extent of the use (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), 51 and 57(2) and (3)) (see paras 44-47)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 7 March 2013 (Case R 234/2012-2), concerning revocation proceedings between Now Wireless Ltd and Starbucks (HK) Ltd.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Now Wireless Ltd to pay the costs.