62020TJ0031_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 28 April 2021 –West End Drinks v EUIPO – Pernod Ricard (The King of SOHO)
(Case T‑31/20)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark The King of SOHO – Earlier EU word mark SOHO – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Persons entitled to appeal and to be parties to the proceedings – Persons whose claims are not upheld by a decision – Decision upholding an opposition to registration of a trade mark, based on part of the arguments presented – No interest in bringing proceedings – Inadmissibility
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(4))
(see paras 21,22)
2.
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 by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark – Subject matter and material scope of Article 15(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 15(1), second subpara. (a))
(see paras 36-38)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative mark The King of SOHO and word mark SOHO
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paras 77, 92, 103, 117, 131)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 16 October 2019 (Case R 1543/2018-1), relating to opposition proceedings between Pernod Ricard and West End Drinks.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Dismisses the cross-claim as inadmissible;
3.
With regard to the main action, orders West End Drinks Ltd to bear its own costs and to pay the costs incurred, in the context of the present proceedings, by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and Pernod Ricard;
4.
With regard to the cross-claim, orders Pernod Ricard to bear its own costs and to pay the costs incurred by EUIPO, and orders West End Drinks to bear its own costs.