Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 23 October 2024 –  
Azaconsa v EUIPO – Lugar da Veiga (SHIP)

(Case T‑332/23)

(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU figurative mark SHIP – Earlier EU figurative mark Sea Biscuits – Relative ground for refusal – 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 facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Not included  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)  (see paragraphs 15, 16) |

| 2. | 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 20-22, 71) |

| 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 – 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 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 75) |

| 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 – Figurative marks SHIP and Sea Biscuits  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 34, 39, 40, 48, 49, 55, 67, 77) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Decisions of the Office – Legality – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraphs 58, 69) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders each party to bear their own costs. |

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