Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 10 July 2024 – Laura Food v EUIPO –  
Bella Tawziaa II (Thé Vert de China AL ASSAD HBOUB R3505 Chaara 4011)

(Case T‑541/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0541_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark Thé Vert de Chine AL ASSAD HBOUB R3505 Chaara 4011 – Earlier EU figurative mark Grand Lion 4011 B552 – Relative ground for refusal – No likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Annulment or alteration for reasons appearing after judgment was delivered – Precluded  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)  (see paragraph 15) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation 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, Art. 72)  (see paragraph 16) |

| 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  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 25, 26, 84, 86) |

| 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 – Assessment of the likelihood of confusion – Determination of the relevant public – Level of attention of the public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 32, 33) |

| 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 – Figurative marks Thé Vert de Chine AL ASSAD HBOUB R3505 Chaara 4011 and Grand Lion 4011 B552  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 35, 57, 60, 68, 75, 80, 88-90) |

| 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 39-43, 58) |

| 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 – Weighing elements of similarity or difference between the signs – Taking into account of the intrinsic characteristics of the signs or the conditions in which the goods or services are marketed  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraph 87) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Annuls the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) of 12 June 2023 (Case R 2017/2022-2) in so far as it annulled the decision of the Opposition Division of 20 September 2022 relating to the EU figurative trade mark Thé Vert de Chine AL ASSAD HBOUB R3505 Chaara 4011 in respect of ‘tea’ falling within Class 30 of the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks of 15 June 1957, as revised and amended. |

| 2. | Orders EUIPO to bear its own costs and those of Laura Food Srl. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0541_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 224, 23.10.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:224:TOC).

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