62022TJ0630_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 7 February 2024 –Topper Argentina v EUIPO – Ningbo Xiangxinli Network Technology (wetoper)
(Case T‑630/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark wetoper – Earlier national word mark TOPPER and earlier Benelux figurative mark Topper – 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, 50)
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 – Refusal to register where there is a relative ground for refusal, even if limited to part of the Union
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 15)
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 – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of a trade mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 19, 20, 22, 23)
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 – Word mark wetoper – Word mark TOPPER and figurative mark Topper
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 51-54)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Topper Argentina, SA and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear their own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 463, 5.12.2022.