62022TJ0008_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 15 February 2023 –Topcart v EUIPO – Carl International (TC CARL)
(Case T‑8/22) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark TC CARL – Earlier national figurative mark carl touch – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 (now Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001))
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Not included
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72)
(see paragraph 14)
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 – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 17-19, 88)
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 – Similarity between the goods or services in question – Criteria for assessment
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 23)
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 – Similarity between the goods or services in question – Complementary nature of the goods or services
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 26)
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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative marks TC CARL and carl touch
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 27-29, 41-44, 48, 62-65, 68, 72, 73, 75, 76, 89-93)
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 registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 38-40, 46, 47, 60, 61)
7.
EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Assessment of the registrability of a sign – EU rules only taken into account
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraph 78)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Topcart GmbH to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 84, 21.2.2022.