62023TJ0288_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 17 April 2024 –Unilab v EUIPO – Cofares (Healthily)
(Case T‑288/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark Healthily – Earlier EU figurative mark Healthies – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Obligation to state reasons – Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Legitimate expectations)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Alteration of a decision of EUIPO – Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))
(see paragraph 13)
2.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – Scope
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1))
(see paragraphs 18, 19, 39)
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 – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 27-29, 77)
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 goods or services in question – Complementary nature of the goods or services
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 32-35)
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 – Figurative marks Healthily and Healthies
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 43, 46, 56, 63, 67, 72, 78, 79)
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 between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 44, 45, 61, 71)
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 82, 83)
8.
EU law – Principles – Protection of legitimate expectations – Conditions
(see paragraphs 85, 86)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Unilab LP and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear their own respective costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 252, 17.7.2023.