62023TJ0055_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 24 January 2024 –Tiendanimal v EUIPO – Salvana Tiernahrung (SALVAJE)
(Case T‑55/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark SALVAJE – Earlier national word mark SALVANA – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Genuine use of the earlier mark – Article 42(2) and (3) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 47(2) and (3) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Condition of admissibility – Pleas directed only against decisions of the Boards of Appeal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(1))
(see paragraph 23)
2.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Direction issued to the EUIPO – Precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))
(see paragraph 25)
3.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Meaning – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 42(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 34-39, 46)
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 – Assessment of the likelihood of confusion – Determination of the relevant public – Level of attention of the public
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 67, 124)
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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of a trade mark
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 78, 79, 81, 89, 91, 97, 98, 126)
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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative mark SALVAJE and word mark SALVANA
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 122, 123, 125, 127)
7.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment –Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraphs 131, 132)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Tiendanimal Comercio Electronico de Articulos para Mascotas, SL, in addition to bearing its own costs, to pay those incurred by Salvana Tiernahrung GmbH;
3.
Declares that the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) shall bear its own costs.
(
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)	OJ C 112, 27.3.2023.