62021TJ0423_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 14 September 2022 –Gioioso v EUIPO – Maxi Di (MARE GIOIOSO di Sebastiano IMPORT EXPORT)
(Case T‑423/21) (
1
)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark MARE GIOIOSO di Sebastiano IMPORT EXPORT – Earlier national figurative mark GIOIA DI MARE – 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 paragraphs 17, 18, 98, 102)
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 – 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 19)
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 – Assessment of the likelihood of confusion – Determination of the relevant public – Attention level of the public
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 21, 31)
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 – Objective marketing considerations to be taken into account
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 28)
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 MARE GIOIOSO di Sebastiano IMPORT EXPORT and GIOIA DI MARE
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 32, 57, 77, 97, 109)
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 between the goods or services in question – Complementary nature of the goods or services
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 34, 45, 52)
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 registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 58-60, 70, 73)
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 registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Elements of a trade mark having a descriptive character
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraph 71)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Sebastiano Gioioso to pay the costs.
(
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)	OJ C 357, 6.9.2021.