62022TJ0341_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 15 February 2023 –Deutsche Bank v EUIPO Operación y Auditoria (avanza Tu negocio)
(Case T‑341/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark avanza Tu negocio – Earlier national figurative mark Avanza Credit de Deutsche Bank – 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 19)
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, Arts 72 and 95)
(see paragraph 20)
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 – Weak distinctive character of the earlier mark – Effect
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 26, 27, 92, 103)
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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Assessment of the likelihood of confusion – Determination of the relevant public – Attention level of the public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 29)
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 – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of which a trade mark is composed
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 34, 35, 37, 51, 62, 63, 69, 72, 85)
6.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria – EUIPO examination guidelines – Effect
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 49)
7.
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 marks avanza Tu negocio et Avanza Credit de Deutsche Bank
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 52, 64, 74, 81, 91, 99-101)
8.
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 – Similarity of the marks concerned – Whether conceptual differences may neutralise visual or aural similarities – Conditions
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 97, 98)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Deutsche Bank, SA Española to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 294, 1.8.2022.