(Case T-41/10)

Community trade mark – Invalidity proceedings – Community figurative mark esf école du ski français – Absolute grounds for refusal – State emblem – Article 7(1)(h) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 – Article 6ter of the Paris Convention – Mark of such a nature as to deceive the public – Article 7(1)(g) of Regulation No 207/2009

3. Community trade mark – Surrender, revocation and invalidity – Absolute grounds of invalidity – Registration contrary to Article 7(1)(g) and (h) of Regulation No 207/2009 (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 7(1)(g) and (h) and 52(1)(a)) (see paras 27, 37, 52-54, 63-64)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 11 November 2009 (Case R 235/2009-1), concerning invalidity proceedings between the Syndicat international des moniteurs de ski – École de ski internationale (SIMS – École de ski internationale) and the Syndicat national des moniteurs du ski français (SNMSF).

Information relating to the case

Registered Community trade mark of which cancellation sought:

Figurative mark esf école du ski français for goods and services in Classes 25, 28 and 41 (Community trade mark No 4624987

Proprietor of the Community trade mark:

Syndicat national des moniteurs du ski français (SNMSF)

Party requesting the declaration of invalidity of the Community trade mark:

Syndicat international des moniteurs de ski – Ecole de ski internationale (SIMS – Ecole de ski internationale)

Decision of the Cancellation Division:

Application for declaration of invalidity dismissed

Decision of the Board of Appeal:

Appeal dismissed

Operative part

The Court:

1.Dismisses the action;

2.Orders the Syndicat international des moniteurs de ski – École de ski internationale (SIMS – École de ski internationale) to pay the costs incurred by the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM);

3.Orders the Syndicat national des moniteurs du ski français to bear its own costs.