62024TJ0056_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 4 December 2024 –Birių Krovinių Terminalas v EUIPO – BTK (BKT)
(Case T-56/24)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark BKT – Earlier international registration designating the European Union – Word mark BTK – 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 15, 16)
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 – Determination of the dominant element or elements
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 18, 19, 28, 29, 31, 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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Elements of a trade mark having a descriptive character
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 30)
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 – Figurative mark BKT and word mark BTK
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 38, 40, 42, 43, 51, 52, 55, 56)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Birių Krovinių Terminalas UAB to bear its owns costs and to pay those incurred by BTK Befrachtungs-und Transportkontor GmbH;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.