Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 21 December 2022 –  
International Masis Tabak v EUIPO – Philip Morris Brands (Representation of a pack of cigarettes)

(Case T‑44/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TJ0044_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – International registration designating the European Union – Figurative mark representing a pack of cigarettes – Earlier international figurative mark Marlboro SELECTED PREMIUM TOBACCOS – Relative ground for refusal – Damage to reputation – 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 – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))  (see paragraph 18) |

| 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 – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Similarity of the marks concerned – Degree of similarity required  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))  (see paragraphs 28, 29) |

| 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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Conditions – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))  (see paragraphs 30, 44, 46) |

| 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 – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Figurative mark representing a pack of cigarettes and figurative mark Marlboro SELECTED PREMIUM TOBACCOS  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))  (see paragraphs 43, 47, 56, 68, 82) |

| 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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation 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 52, 53) |

| 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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation 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 paragraphs 62, 63, 65) |

| 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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Proof to be adduced by proprietor – Future, non-hypothetical risk of unfair advantage or detriment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))  (see paragraph 64) |

| 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 enjoying a reputation – Extension of protection of earlier mark with a reputation to dissimilar goods or services – Use without due cause of the trade mark applied for – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(5))  (see paragraphs 73-75, 79, 80) |

| 9. | Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – Brief statement of the pleas in law on which the application is based – Pleas in law not set out in the application – General reference to other documents – Inadmissibility  (Statute of the Court of Justice, Art. 21, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))  (see paragraph 81) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders International Masis Tabak LLC to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TJ0044_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 119, 14.3.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:119:TOC).

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