62022TJ0677_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 15 November 2023 –Portal Golf Gestión v EUIPO – Augusta National (imaster.golf)
(Case T‑677/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark imaster.golf – International registration of the earlier word mark MASTERS – Relative ground for refusal – Article 8(5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Repute – Similarity – Link – Unfair advantage – Lack of due cause – Article 95(2) of Regulation 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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Detriment to the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 16, 17, 20-23, 125-128)
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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Reputation of the mark in the Member State or in the European Union – Meaning – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 31, 32)
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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Coexistence of earlier marks – Recognition of an international mark as having a certain degree of distinctiveness
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 54-56)
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 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(5))
(see paragraphs 75, 76, 78, 85, 90, 102)
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 – Link between the marks – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 110, 111)
6.
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 – Figurative mark imaster.golf and word mark MASTERS
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 130-133)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Portal Golf Gestión, SA to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Augusta National, Inc.;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 15, 16.1.2023.