EU General Court Rules Trademark Transfer Does Not Revive Expired Appeal Deadline

The EU General Court on October 14 dismissed an appeal in case T-451/25 concerning the FIND MY CAR trademark, ruling that a transfer of the mark does not revive an expired deadline for filing a statement of grounds. The new owner takes the proceedings as they stand, and the transfer only takes effect from its entry in the EUIPO register.

The decision clarifies procedural rules for EU trademark appeals following ownership changes. It prevents parties from using transfers to circumvent strict time limits set by EUIPO or court rules.

The ruling emphasizes that procedural deadlines run against the mark itself once recorded, limiting strategic maneuvers in opposition or invalidity proceedings.

Sources: https://x.com/IPCyprus/status/2110591944099537073 https://www.law360.co.uk/articles/2537688/apple-defeats-bid-to-use-ukraine-extension-in-eu-tm-fight