Rule 40

(1) Every application for revocation or for declaration of invalidity which is deemed to have been filed shall be notified to the proprietor of the Community trade mark. When the Office has found the application admissible, it shall invite the proprietor of the Community trade mark to file his observations within such period as it may specify.

(2) If the proprietor of the Community trade mark files no observations, the Office may decide on the revocation or invalidity on the basis of the evidence before it.

(3) Any observations filed by the proprietor of the Community trade mark shall be communicated to the applicant, who shall be requested by the Office, if it sees fit, to reply within a period specified by the Office.

(4) Save where Rule 69 otherwise provides or allows, all observations filed by the parties shall be sent to the other party concerned.

(5) In the case of an application for revocation based on Article 50(1)(a) of the Regulation, the Office shall invite the proprietor of the Community trade mark to furnish proof of genuine use of the mark, within such period as it may specify. If the proof is not provided within the time limit set, the Community trade mark shall be revoked. Rule 22(2), (3) and (4) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(6) If the applicant has to furnish proof of use or proof that there are proper reasons for non-use under Article 56(2) or (3) of the Regulation, the Office shall invite the applicant to furnish proof of genuine use of the mark, within such period as it may specify. If the proof is not provided within the time limit set, the application for declaration of invalidity shall be rejected. Rule 22(2), (3) and (4) shall apply mutatis mutandis.