62019TJ0510_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 19 May 2021 –Puma v EUIPO – Gemma Group (Representation of a bounding feline)
(Case T‑510/19)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark representing a bounding feline – Earlier international figurative marks representing a bounding feline – Relative ground for refusal – No injury to reputation – Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now 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 earlier identical or similar mark enjoying a reputation – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Aim
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see para. 23)
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paras 24, 129, 132)
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended 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 – Relevant public
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paras 27, 30)
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Determination of the dominant elements
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b) and (5))
(see paras 34, 35)
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Reputation of the mark in the Member State or the EU – Concept – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paras 61, 62)
6.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Re-examination of the facts in the light of evidence not previously submitted before EUIPO bodies – Not included
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 65)
(see para. 80)
7.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Facts, evidence and observations submitted in support of the opposition – Opportunity for the opposing party to adduce evidence in support of the opposition
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5); Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rule 19(1) and (2)(c))
(see para. 92)
8.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Appeal against a decision of the Opposition Division of EUIPO – Examination by the Board of Appeal – Scope – Facts and evidence not produced in support of the opposition within the period prescribed for that purpose – Account taken – Discretion of the Board of Appeal – New or supplementary evidence
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 76(2); Commission Regulation No 2868/95, Art. 1, Rule 50(1), third subpara.)
(see para. 94)
9.
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Reputation of the mark in the Member State or the EU – Decision discounting the earlier decision-making practice of the Office as regards the reputation of the earlier mark – Obligation to state reasons – Principle of sound administration
(see para. 96)
10.
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Link between the marks – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see para. 100)
11.
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Proof to be adduced by proprietor – Future, non-hypothetical risk of unfair advantage or detriment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see para. 101)
12.
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Figurative marks representing a bounding feline
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paras 133-138, 146-148, 152-155)
13.
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Detriment to the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paras 139, 140)
14.
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 – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Detriment to the distinctive character of the earlier mark – Proof
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paras 141-143)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 30 April 2019 (Case R 2057/2018-4), relating to opposition proceedings between Puma and Gemma Group.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Puma SE to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).