Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 12 June 2024 –  
Google v EUIPO – EPay (GPAY)

(Case T‑78/23) (
[1](#t-ECR_62023TJ0078_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for EU word mark GPAY – Earlier national figurative mark ePay – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) 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 identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Enhanced distinctiveness of the earlier mark – Criteria for assessment  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 18-20, 74-76) |

| 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 – 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 21, 22) |

| 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 – Word mark GPAY and figurative mark ePay  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 28, 60, 73, 84-88) |

| 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 marks concerned – 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 33, 35, 36, 51, 71) |

| 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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Elements of a trade mark having a descriptive character  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraph 37) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraph 57) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Google LLC to pay the costs. |

---

(
[1](#c-ECR_62023TJ0078_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 121, 3.4.2023](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2023:121:TOC).

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