62023TJ0245_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 20 March 2024 –Braunschweiger Versorgungs v EUIPO – B.F. Energy (BF energy)
(Case T‑245/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark BF energy – Earlier national word mark BS Energy – Earlier EU trade mark and national figurative marks BS ENERGY – Relative ground for refusal – No likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
1.
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 14, 15, 74-76)
2.
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 16)
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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Determination of the dominant element or elements
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 25, 26, 35, 36, 41)
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 – Figurative mark BF energy – Word and figurative marks BS Energy and BS ENERGY
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 42-44, 54, 60, 66, 77-81)
5.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Power of the General Court to alter the contested decision – Limits
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))
(see paragraph 84)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.
(
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)	OJ C 235, 3.7.2023.