2. If the applicant so requests, the proprietor of an earl
ier Community trade mark who
has given notice of opposition shall furnish proof that, during the period of five years preceding the date of publication of the Community trade mark application, the earl
ier Community trade mark has been put to genuine use in the Community in connection with the goods or services in respect of which it is registered and which he cites as justification for his opposition, or that there are proper reasons for non-use, provided the earl
ier Commun ...[+++]ity trade mark has at that date been registered for not less than five years.