62021TJ0569_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Single Judge) of 1 February 2023 –Harbaoui v EUIPO – Google (GOOGLE CAR)
(Case T‑569/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark GOOGLE CAR – Earlier EU word mark GOOGLE – Relative ground for refusal – Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – 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 mark enjoying a reputation – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Link between the marks – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 19, 22)
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 enjoying a reputation – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Word marks GOOGLE CAR and GOOGLE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraphs 23, 27, 31, 32, 35, 36, 44, 45)
3.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Separate examination of the grounds for refusal in relation to each of the goods or services covered by the application for registration – Obligation to state the reasons for refusing to register – Scope
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1))
(see paragraph 29)
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 enjoying a reputation – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))
(see paragraph 39)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Zoubier Harbaoui to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 431, 25.10.2021.