62022TJ0672_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 11 December 2024 –López‑Ibor Aliño v EUIPO – Dimensión Estratégica Quality Research (LOPEZ-IBOR ABOGADOS)
(Case T‑672/22)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark LOPEZ-IBOR ABOGADOS – Earlier EU word mark ESTUDIO JURIDICO INTERNACIONAL LOPEZ-IBOR MAYOR & ASOCIADOS – Relative ground for refusal – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Likelihood of confusion – Genuine use of the earlier mark)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Alteration of a decision of EUIPO – Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))
(see paragraph 22)
2.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Definition – Criteria for assessment
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraph 27)
3.
EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Use of the mark in a form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the mark – Subject matter and material scope of Article 18(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Examination of alteration of distinctive character
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 18(1)(a) and 47(2) and (3))
(see paragraphs 28, 29, 36)
4.
EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)
(see paragraphs 34, 94)
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 – Criteria for assessment – Coexistence of two marks on a given market – Effect
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 42, 43, 98, 99)
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 51-53, 60, 62, 64, 71, 72, 78-81, 85)
7.
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 LOPEZ-IBOR ABOGADOS and word mark ESTUDIO JURIDICO INTERNACIONAL LOPEZ-IBOR MAYOR & ASOCIADOS
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 103-105)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Alfonso López-Ibor Aliño to bear his own costs and to pay those incurred by Dimensión Estratégica Quality Research, SL;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.