62023TJ1143_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 12 March 2025 –Enedo v EUIPO – Enedis (Enedo AMPS WITH PASSION)
(Case T‑1143/23)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark Enedo AMPS WITH PASSION – Earlier EU word mark ENEDIS – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Restriction of the goods and services covered in the trade mark application)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Limitation of the list of goods and services after the decision of the Board of Appeal – Consequences
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 49(1))
(see paragraphs 22, 23)
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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 29, 30, 104, 105)
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 – Assessment of the likelihood of confusion – Determination of the relevant public – Level of attention of the public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 31)
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 Enedo AMPS WITH PASSION and word mark ENEDIS
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 37, 43, 69, 83, 91, 97-99, 103, 111)
5.
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 – Refusal to register where there is a relative ground for refusal, even if limited to part of the Union
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 38)
6.
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 – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of a trade mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 45, 46, 66, 81)
7.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of good administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 64)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Enedo Oyj to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Enedis;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.