62023TJ1036_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 11 June 2025 –Fattorie Garofalo – Società Cooperativa Agricola v EUIPO – Pastificio Lucio Garofalo (fattorie garofalo)
(Case T‑1036/23)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark FATTORIE GAROFALO – Earlier EU figurative mark GAROFALO – Relative ground for refusal – Damage to reputation – Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) – Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – No due cause)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Alteration of a decision of EUIPO – Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))
(see paragraph 19)
2.
Action for annulment – Jurisdiction of the EU judicature – Request that directions be issued to an institution – Precluded
(Art. 263 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(6))
(see paragraph 20)
3.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see paragraphs 25, 26)
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 – Extension of protection of the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Similarity between the marks concerned – Degree of similarity required
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 30, 37-39)
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 the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Figurative marks FATTORIE GAROFALO and GAROFALO
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 35, 53, 57, 60, 90, 109, 110, 126, 151)
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 the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Reputation of the mark in the Member State or in the European Union – Concept – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 68-71)
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 the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Link between the marks – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 97, 98, 101, 106, 107)
8.
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 the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 117-120)
9.
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 the earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Use without due cause of the trade mark applied for – Concept
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 134-139)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders each party to bear its own costs.