62023TJ1168_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 18 September 2024 –Richards Brothers Group v EUIPO – Masia Puigmoltó (EL CABRÓN)
(Case T‑1168/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark EL CABRÓN – Earlier national figurative mark CABRÓ ! – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 2017/2001)
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 18, 19, 55)
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 – Composite mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 23, 24)
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 – Figurative marks EL CABRÓN and CABRÓ!
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 35, 44, 49, 56-60)
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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Whether conceptual differences may neutralise visual or phonetic similarities – Conditions
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 48)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs;
3.
Orders Richards Brothers Group to pay the costs incurred by Masia Puigmoltó, SL.
(
1
)	OJ C 1260, 12.2.2024.