62024TJ0104_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 15 January 2025 –Kokito I Punt v EUIPO –Fédération française de football (Representation of a rooster)
(Case T‑104/24)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for a figurative EU trade mark representing a rooster – Earlier figurative EU trade mark FFF – 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 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, 62)
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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 26, 27, 37, 53, 56)
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 – Determination of the dominant element or elements
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 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 – Figurative marks representing a rooster and FFF
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 66-68, 70)
5.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 69)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Kokito I Punt, SL to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the Fédération française de football;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.