62023TJ1169_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 13 November 2024 –Interapothek v EUIPO – Q4 Media (miababy)
(Case T‑1169/23)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark miababy – Earlier EU figurative mark ia BABY interapothek – Relative grounds 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 15, 16, 45, 48, 60)
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 – Figurative marks miababy and ia BABY interapothek
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 18, 33, 41, 44, 51, 54, 61-63)
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 20, 21, 28-30)
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 – Weak distinctive character of the earlier mark – Effect
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 46, 47, 59)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Interapothek, SA, the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and Q4 Media SRL each to bear their own costs.