62023TJ0061_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 17 January 2024 –Ona Investigación v EUIPO – Formdiet (BIOPÔLE)
(Case T‑61/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark BIOPÔLE – Earlier national word mark AGUA BIOPOLAR – Relative ground for refusal – No likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Annulment or variation for reasons appearing after judgment was delivered – Not included
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)
(see paragraph 16)
2.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Not included
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(1))
(see paragraph 17)
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 21, 87-89)
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 – 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 27, 28, 34-36, 38, 39, 93, 94)
5.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 77)
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 BIOPÔLE and AGUA BIOPOLAR
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 90-92, 95-97)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Ona Investigación, SL and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to each bear their own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 112, 27.3.2023.