62021TJ0416_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 14 September 2022 –Itinerant Show Room v EUIPO – Save the Duck (ITINERANT)
(Case T‑416/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark ITINERANT – Earlier EU figurative mark representing a singing duck in a circle – Relative ground for refusal – Article 8(5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Similarity – Reputation – Link – Undue advantage – Lack of due cause – Article 95(2) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Article 27(4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/625 – Document produced for the first time before the Board of Appeal – Inadmissibility)
1.
EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Facts and evidence not submitted in time – Account taken – Discretion of EUIPO
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(2); Commission [Delegated] Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(4))
(see paragraphs 18-21)
2.
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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Detriment to the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 36, 37, 102, 103, 105)
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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 41, 45, 46, 53)
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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Figurative mark ITINERANT and figurative mark representing a singing duck in a circle
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 51, 68, 84, 87, 99, 115)
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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Reputation of the mark in the Member State or in the European Union – Use of a trade mark as part of another registered trade mark with a reputation
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 71, 72, 83)
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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Link between the marks – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 90-92)
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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Proof to be adduced by proprietor – Future, non-hypothetical risk of unfair advantage or detriment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraph 104)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Itinerant Show Room Srl to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office and by Save the Duck SpA.
(
1
)	OJ C 357, 6.9.2021.