62023TJ0347_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 4 September 2024 –EvivaMed Distribution v EUIPO – Galenica (VIVORA)
(Case T‑347/23) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark VIVORA – Earlier word mark VERFORA – Partial rejection of the application for registration – Relative ground for refusal – 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 20, 21, 68, 79, 82)
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
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 32, 38, 44, 45, 50)
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 – Word marks VIVORA and VERFORA
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 40, 57, 73, 81, 83)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders EvivaMed Distribution GmbH to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Galenica AG;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 278, 7.8.2023.