62023TJ1091_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 6 November 2024 –Freddo Freddo v EUIPO – Krema (doffre)
(Case T‑1091/23)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark doffre – International registration of the earlier figurative mark Freddo Freddo – Relative ground for refusal – No likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 16, 17, 44, 66, 71)
2.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Refusal to register where there is a relative ground for refusal, even if limited to part of the Union
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 18)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of a trade mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 25, 26, 75)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative marks doffre and Freddo Freddo
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 45, 62, 72, 74, 76, 83, 84)
5.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see paragraph 60)
6.
EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – Legality – The Office’s previous decision-making practice
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 79)
7.
EU trade mark – Proceedings before the adjudicating bodies of EUIPO – Directives of the Office – Scope – Limits
(see paragraph 82)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.