Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 10 January 2025 –  
Košovan v EUIPO – Volkswagen (Voltwagen)

(Case T‑87/24)

(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU word mark Voltwagen – Earlier EU word mark VOLKSWAGEN – Genuine use of the earlier mark – Article 47(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)

| 1. | EU trade mark – Observations of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Meaning – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 10(3))  (see paragraph 28) |

| 2. | EU trade mark – Observation of third parties and opposition – Examination of the opposition – Proof of use of the earlier mark – Genuine use – Meaning – Mark used only as an element of a composite mark or in conjunction with another mark  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 47(2))  (see paragraph 40) |

| 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 59, 60) |

| 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 – Similarity between the goods or services in question – Criteria for assessment – Complementary nature of the goods or services  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraph 64-66) |

| 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 – Word marks Voltwagen and VOLKSWAGEN  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 81, 90-92, 101, 102, 104, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116-118) |

Operative part

| 1. | The action is dismissed. |

| 2. | Mr Štefan Košovan shall bear his own costs and pay those incurred by Volkswagen AG. |

| 3. | The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) shall bear its own costs. |

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