62023TJ0509_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 27 November 2024 –Giorgio Armani v EUIPO – Shenzhen City Chongzheng Technology (Representation of horizontal lines)
(Case T‑509/23)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark representing horizontal lines – Earlier EU figurative mark representing a stylised eagle characterised by horizontal blocks – Relative grounds for refusal – Similarity of the signs – Article 8(1)(b) and Article 8(5) 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 19, 20)
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 – Degree of attention of the relevant public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 21)
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 22, 23)
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 representing horizontal lines and a stylised eagle characterised by horizontal blocks
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 29, 32-34)
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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b) and (5))
(see paragraphs 40, 41)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 16 June 2023 (Case R 1413/2022-2);
2.
Orders EUIPO to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Giorgio Armani SpA.