62024TJ0172_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 19 March 2025 –Asaş Alüminyum v EUIPO – Asfaltos del Sureste (ASAŞ)
(Case T‑172/24)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – International registration designating the European Union – Figurative mark ASAŞ – Earlier national figurative mark ASSA Asfaltos del Sureste, S.A. – Genuine use of the earlier mark – Article 47(2) and (3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review 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, Arts 72(2) and 95)
(see paragraphs 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 in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the mark – Subject matter and material scope of Article 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 28-30, 35-39, 43-45, 49)
3.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Probative value of the evidence – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 51, 52)
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 – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 58, 59, 115)
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 – 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 paragraphs 61, 62, 71)
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 goods or services concerned – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 78)
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 – Composite mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 88, 89, 94, 95, 104)
8.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 117)
9.
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 ASAŞ and ASSA Asfaltos del Sureste, S.A.
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 67, 97, 99, 101, 116)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Asaş Alüminyum Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. to pay the costs.