62024TJ0592_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 10 September 2025 –EFFAS v EUIPO – CFA Institute (CEFA Certified European Financial Analyst)
(Case T‑592/24)
(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU word mark CEFA Certified European Financial Analyst – Earlier EU word mark CFA – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 – Lack of peaceful coexistence)
1.
EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Precluded
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)
(see paragraphs 27, 28)
2.
Judicial proceedings – Res judicata – Scope – Limits
(see paragraph 33)
3.
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
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 40, 41, 48)
4.
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 – Word marks CEFA Certified European Financial Analyst and CFA
(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 44-47, 52, 53)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders European Federation of Financial Analysts’ Societies (EFFAS) to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by CFA Institute;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.