62025TJ0222_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 17 December 2025 –Freixenet v EUIPO – Alvear (CB)
(Case T‑222/25)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for registration of the EU figurative mark CB – Earlier national word mark C.B. – 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) 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 – Simultaneous use of several signs
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraph 27)
2.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Partial use – Effect – Concept of ‘part of the goods or services’ covered by the registration
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1) and 58(2))
(see paragraphs 30-32)
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 46, 91)
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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Assessment of the likelihood of confusion – Determination of the relevant public – Level of attention of the public – Wines
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 47, 50)
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 – Similarity between the goods or services concerned – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 54)
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 – Figurative mark CB and word mark C.B.
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 55, 60, 65, 66, 95-99)
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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 56, 62, 73, 84)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Freixenet, SA and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to each bear their own costs.