62019TJ0085_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 12 March 2020 –Gwo Chyang Biotech v EUIPO — Norma (KinGirls)
(Case T‑85/19)
(EU trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for the EU figurative mark KinGirls — Earlier German word mark King — 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 earlier identical or similar mark registered for 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 para. 19)
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 — Figurative mark KinGirls and word mark King
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paras 21-24, 27, 28)
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 registered for identical or similar goods or services — Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark — Weak distinctive character of the earlier mark — Effect
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see para. 32)
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 — Coexistence of earlier marks — Recognition of a certain degree of distinctiveness of a national mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see para. 33)
Re:
Action brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 12 December 2018 (Case R 718/2018-4), relating to opposition proceedings between Norma Lebensmittelfilialbetrieb Stiftung & Co. and Gwo Chyang Biotech.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Gwo Chyang Biotech Co. Ltd to pay the costs.