62023TJ0262_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 10 April 2024 –Mushie & Co v EUIPO – Diana Dolls Fashions (Mushie)
(Case T-262/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark Mushie – Earlier EU word mark KUSHIES – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Professional representation – Article 120(1) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Representation before EUIPO – Association of representatives – Concept – Necessity of being a registered company – Not included
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 120; Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 74(8))
(see paragraphs 17-22)
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 – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 30, 31, 71, 77)
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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Assessment of the likelihood of confusion – Determination of the relevant public – Level of attention of the public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 32)
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 – Earlier trade mark constituted by an EU trade mark – Refusal to register where there is a relative ground for refusal, even if limited to part of the Union
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 36)
5.
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 – Word marks Mushie and KUSHIES
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 37, 76)
6.
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 goods or services in question – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 42, 43, 48)
7.
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 51, 69)
8.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 62)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.
(
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)	OJ C 252, 17.7.2023.