62025TJ0142_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 4 February 2026 – Médis v EUIPO – RGCC (WelMedis)
(Case T‑142/25)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark WelMedis – Earlier international registration in respect of the figurative mark médis – 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 16, 17)
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 – 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 18-20, 31, 32, 36-38, 45, 63)
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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative marks WelMedis and médis
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 35, 47, 54, 64, 65)
4.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraphs 58-60)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Médis – Companhia portuguesa de seguros de saúde, S. A. to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by RGCC Holdings AG;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.