62022TJ0027_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 12 July 2023 –Innovaciones Cosmético Farmacéuticas v EUIPO – Benito Oliver (th pharma)
(Case T‑27/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark TH PHARMA – Earlier national figurative mark TH – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Genuine use of the earlier mark – Article 47(2) and (3) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10(3) and (4))
(see paragraphs 19-21, 23, 32, 33, 39)
2.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Probative value of the evidence – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 49, 51)
3.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Use during a five year period – Consideration of evidence concerning use outside of that period
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraph 62)
4.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Use of the mark in a form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the mark – Subject matter and material scope of Article 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 69-71)
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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 82, 83, 130)
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 – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of which a trade mark is composed
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 88, 89, 100, 104, 110, 112, 125)
7.
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 TH PHARMA and TH
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 98, 101, 106, 115, 121, 129, 137, 139)
8.
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 of the marks concerned – Whether conceptual differences may neutralise visual or aural similarities – Conditions
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 136)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Innovaciones Cosmético Farmacéuticas SL to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 109, 7.3.2022.