62020TJ0353_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 10 November 2021 –AC Milan v EUIPO – InterES (ACM 1899 AC MILAN)
(Case T‑353/20)
(European Union trade mark – Opposition proceedings – International registration designating the European Union – Figurative mark ACM 1899 AC MILAN – Earlier national word marks Milan – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Proof of genuine use of the earlier mark – Article 42(2) and (3) of Regulation No 207/2009 (now Article 47(2) and (3) of Regulation 2017/1001) – No alteration of distinctive character)
1.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Concept – Criteria for assessment – Requirement of solid and objective evidence
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 42(2) and (3); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10)
(see paras 23-26, 36, 39)
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 by elements not altering the distinctive character of the mark – Subject matter and scope of Article 15(1)(a) of Regulation No 207/2009 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 15(1), second para. (a) and 42(2) and (3))
(see paras 49-51)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paras 72, 73, 107, 113)
4.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Determination of the dominant element or elements
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paras 76, 83, 89)
5.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative mark ACM 1899 AC MILAN and word marks Milan
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paras 91, 94, 100, 106, 115)
6.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Weighing elements of similarity or difference between the signs – Taking into account of the intrinsic characteristics of the signs or the conditions in which the goods or services are marketed
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see para. 110)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 14 February 2020 (Case R 161/2019-2), relating to opposition proceedings between InterES Handels- und Dienstleistungs Gesellschaft and AC Milan.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Associazione Calcio Milan SpA (AC Milan) to pay the costs, with the exception of the travel expenses incurred by the latter;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear the travel expenses incurred by AC Milan.