62022TJ0168_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 3 May 2023 – Foundation for the Protection of the Traditional Cheese of Cyprus named Halloumi v EUIPO – Fontana Food (GRILLOUMI)
(Case T‑168/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark GRILLOUMI – Earlier EU collective word mark HALLOUMI – Relative grounds for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Detriment to reputation – Article 8(1)(b) and Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(1)(b) and Article 8(5) 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 earlier identical or similar collective trade mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(1)(b) and 66(1))
(see paragraphs 27-29, 60)
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 registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Word mark GRILLOUMI and collective word mark HALLOUMI
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 32, 34, 47, 59, 75)
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 collective trade mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Distinctive character of earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(1)(b) and 66(2))
(see paragraphs 35-37, 69)
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 registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Weak distinctive character of the earlier mark – Effect
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 42, 65, 68)
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 registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 48)
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 – Reputation of the mark in the Member State or in the European Union – Evidence in support of the reputation
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 77, 83)
7.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Boards of Appeal – Classification as administration of the Office – Right of the parties to a fair trial – None
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 61 to 64)
(see paragraph 79)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Foundation for the Protection of the Traditional Cheese of Cyprus named Halloumi to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 207, 23.5.2022.