However, if the proprietor of the earlier trade mark has acquiesced, for a period of five successive years, in the use of an identical later trade mark while being aware of such use, he is, as a general rule, no longer entitled either to apply for a declaration that the later trade mark is invalid or to oppose its use.
Toutefois, si le titulaire de la marque antérieure a toléré l'usage d'une marque postérieure identique pendant une période de cinq années consécutives en connaissance de cet usage, il ne peut plus, en principe, plus demander la nullité ni s'opposer à l'usage de la marque postérieure.