62024TJ0157_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 11 December 2024 –Meica v EUIPO – Lénárd (CHIPSY KINGS)
(Case T‑157/24)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark CHIPSY KINGS – International registration of the earlier word mark Curry King – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Article 95(1) 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 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 16-18, 60-62, 66)
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 – 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 19)
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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 29-31, 34)
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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of a trade mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 32)
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 – Elements of a trade mark having a descriptive character
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 33, 38)
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 – Word marks CHIPSY KINGS and Curry King
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 47, 52, 57-59, 68-70)
7.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Duty of diligence
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(1))
(see paragraph 76)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Meica Ammerländische Fleischwarenfabrik Fritz Meinen GmbH & Co. KG and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear their own costs.