For the whole decision click here: o17605
Result
Section 46(1)9a) & (b): - Application for revocation successful.
Points Of Interest
Summary
The registered proprietor filed evidence of use of its mark. This consisted of two invoices for the sums of £162 and £325 in respect of the FINALE product. Sample packaging showed the product to be a hair spray which is within the specification which reads "Preparations included in Class 3 for the hair".
A statutory declaration from a Mr Kevin James, Senior Vice President, stated that there was use of the mark FINALE by the proprietor, and predecessors in title, in relation to a range of hair products, between September 1998 to September 2003 (the date of the application for revocation) and an exhibit lists actual sales ranging from £298,000 to £440,000. However, this exhibit fails to confirm that the sales figures related to sales of the FINALE product.
In considering the question of genuine use the Hearing Officer observed that the evidence filed by the proprietor was sketchy and poorly focused and did not confirm the required facts as regards use in an ordered or logical way. He was, therefore, left to draw conclusions and this was unsatisfactory as the onus is on the registered proprietor to show use of its mark. The Hearing Officer decided that use had not been proved and therefore the application for revocation succeeded