Judgment of the General Court of 12 May 2010 — Beifa Group v OHIM — Schwan-Stabilo Schwanhaüßer (Instrument for writing)

(Case T-148/08) (1)

(Community design - Invalidity proceedings - Registered Community design representing an instrument for writing - Earlier national figurative mark - Ground for invalidity - Use in the Community design of an earlier sign the holder of which has the right to prohibit such use - Article 25(1)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 - Request for proof of genuine use of the earlier mark made for the first time before the Board of Appeal)

(2010/C 179/56)

Language of the case: English

Parties

Applicant: Beifa Group Co. Ltd (Ningbo, Zhejiang, China) (represented by: R. Davis, Barrister, and N. Cordell, Solicitor)

Defendant: Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM) (represented by: A. Folliard Monguiral, acting as Agent)

Other party to the proceedings before the Board of Appeal of OHIM: Schwan-Stabilo Schwanhaüßer GmbH & Co. KG (Heroldsberg, Germany) (represented by: U. Blumenröder and H. Gauß, lawyers)

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Third Board of Appeal of OHIM of 31 January 2008 (Case R 1352/2006-3) relating to invalidity proceedings between Schwan-Stabilo Schwanhaüßer GmbH & Co. KG and Ningo Beifa Group Co., Ltd in respect of a Community design.

Operative part of the judgment

The Court:

1.	Annuls the decision of the Third Board of Appeal of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM) of 31 January 2008 (Case R 1352/2006-3);

2.	Dismisses the action as to the remainder;

3.	Orders OHIM to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Beifa Group Co. Ltd, and orders Schwan Stabilo Schwanhaüßer GmbH & Co. KG to bear its own costs.

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(1)  OJ C 142, 7.6.2008.