62025TJ0071_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 21 January 2026 –Casa Ermelinda Freitas v EUIPO – Eggers & Franke (EF)
(Case T‑71/25)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative trade mark EF – Earlier EU word mark EF – ERMELINDA FREITAS – No likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) 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 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 15, 16, 70, 75)
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 – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of a trade mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 20-23, 52, 53, 55, 64, 65)
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 mark EF and word mark ERMELINDA FREITAS
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 37, 41, 42, 54, 58, 67, 76)
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 – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Element common to both marks having an independent distinctive role in the earlier mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 49, 50)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Casa Ermelinda Freitas – Vinhos, S. A. to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Eggers & Franke Holding GmbH;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.