EU Court Rejects Ukraine Deadline Extension in Apple TM Appeal

The General Court of the European Union on October 14, 2026, upheld the EUIPO Board of Appeal's decision declaring inadmissible an appeal filed by Slovenian advertiser Mega Pop podjetje za oglaševanje na prostem d.o.o. in a revocation action brought by Apple Inc. against the international registration for FIND MY CAR.

Mega Pop had sought to rely on an extended deadline available to parties based in Ukraine after transferring the mark to a Ukrainian entity, Solar Market LLC, with the transfer recorded on September 13, 2024. The statement of grounds for appeal was filed on September 13, 2024, after the original deadline of August 30, 2024, had expired.

The court ruled that the Ukraine extension could not revive an already lapsed deadline and that a request for restitutio in integrum failed due to non-payment of the required fee. The underlying EUIPO cancellation proceeding concerned alleged non-use of the mark.

The decision clarifies the strict application of procedural time limits in EU trademark matters and the limited scope of extensions tied to specific geopolitical situations.

Sources: https://www.law360.co.uk/articles/2537688/apple-defeats-bid-to-use-ukraine-extension-in-eu-tm-fight https://www.ie-forum.nl/artikelen/gerecht-eu-overdracht-merk-aan-oekraiense-onderneming-doet-verstreken-beroepstermijn-niet-herleven