Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 6 October 2021 –  
Esteves Lopes Granja v EUIPO – IVDP (PORTWO GIN)

(Case T‑417/20)

(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU word mark PORTWO GIN – Earlier designation of origin ‘Porto’ – Concepts of ‘use’ and ‘exploitation’ of a protected designation of origin – Article 103(2)(a)(ii) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013)

| 1. | Agriculture – Common organisation of the markets – Wine – Designation and presentation of wines – Protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications – Protection – Direct or indirect commercial use of a protected name – Scope  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 1308/2013, Art. 103(2)(a))  (see paras 31, 32, 36, 37) |

| 2. | Agriculture – Uniform legislation – Definition, description, presentation, labelling and protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks – Regulation No 110/2008 – Protection of geographical indications – Protection against direct or indirect commercial use – Criteria for assessment – Need for use in identical or similar form to that of the registered indication  (European Parliament and Council Regulations No 110/2008, Art. 16(a), and No 1308/2013, Art. 103(2)(a))  (see paras 33-35) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an unregistered trade mark or other sign used in the course of trade – Geographical indications and designations of origin – Word mark PORTWO GIN – Designation of origin Porto  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(4a))  (see paras 44, 53) |

| 4. | Agriculture – Common organisation of the markets – Wine – Designation and presentation of wines – Protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications – Protection – Direct or indirect commercial use of a protected name – Concept – Misuse, imitation or evocation of a protected name – Distinction  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 1308/2013, Art. 103(2)(a)(ii))  (see para. 46) |

| 5. | Agriculture – Common organisation of the markets – Wine – Designation and presentation of wines – Protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications – Exploitation of the reputation of a protected designation of origin – Concept – Use of a protected designation of origin that seeks to take undue advantage of the reputation enjoyed by that designation of origin  (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 1308/2013, Art. 103(2)(a)(ii))  (see para. 50) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 21 April 2020 (Case R 993/2019-2) relating to opposition proceedings between Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto, IP and Joaquim Jósé Esteves Lopes Granja.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Joaquim José Esteves Lopes Granja to pay the costs. |

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