62023TJ0052_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 11 October 2023 –Olive Line International v EUIPO – Santa Rita Harinas (SANTARRITA)
(Case T‑52/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU word mark SANTARRITA – Earlier EU figurative mark Santa Rita – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Proof of genuine use of the earlier trade mark – Article 47(2) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Burden of proof incumbent on the proprietor
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2))
(see paragraphs 16, 17)
2.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2))
(see paragraphs 18-24, 29-31)
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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 35-37)
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 – Similarity between the goods or services in question – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 42)
5.
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 – Word mark SANTARRITA and figurative mark Santa Rita
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 48, 49, 51, 58-62)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 112, 27.3.2023.