62021TJ0696_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 5 October 2022 –Les Bordes Golf International v EUIPO – Mast-Jägermeister (LES BORDES)
(Case T‑696/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark LES BORDES – Earlier international figurative mark consisting of inter alia a stag’s head – Relative ground for refusal – 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 earlier identical or similar mark registered for 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 17, 18, 73)
2.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Assessment of the likelihood of confusion – Determination of the relevant public – Attention level of the public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 22)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 25, 26, 40)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative mark LES BORDES and figurative mark consisting of inter alia a stag’s head
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 43, 52, 60, 72, 80)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Figurative marks without word elements – Phonetic comparison
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 47-49)
6.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see paragraph 65)
7.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Legality of the decision of a Board of Appeal adjudicating in opposition proceedings – Challenged by the adducing of new facts – Not permissible – Account taken, for the purposes of interpreting EU law, of EU case-law or national or international case-law not cited before the bodies of EUIPO – Whether permissible
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see paragraph 67)
8.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of which a trade mark is composed
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 68)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Les Bordes Golf International to bear the costs.
(
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)	OJ C 2, 3.1.2022.