Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 15 February 2023 –  
Deutsche Bank v EUIPO Operación y Auditoria (avanza Tu negocio)

(Case T‑341/22) (
[1](#t-ECR_62022TJ0341_INF_EN_01-E0001)
)

(EU trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the EU figurative mark avanza Tu negocio – Earlier national figurative mark Avanza Credit de Deutsche Bank – 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 variation for reasons appearing after judgment was delivered – Not included  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)  (see paragraph 19) |

| 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 – Not included  (Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72 and 95)  (see paragraph 20) |

| 3. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Weak distinctive character of the earlier mark – Effect  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 26, 27, 92, 103) |

| 4. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Assessment of the likelihood of confusion – Determination of the relevant public – Attention level of the public  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraph 29) |

| 5. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of which a trade mark is composed  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 34, 35, 37, 51, 62, 63, 69, 72, 85) |

| 6. | EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria – EUIPO examination guidelines – Effect  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)  (see paragraph 49) |

| 7. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative marks avanza Tu negocio et Avanza Credit de Deutsche Bank  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 52, 64, 74, 81, 91, 99-101) |

| 8. | EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Similarity of the marks concerned – Whether conceptual differences may neutralise visual or aural similarities – Conditions  (European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))  (see paragraphs 97, 98) |

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Deutsche Bank, SA Española to pay the costs. |

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(
[1](#c-ECR_62022TJ0341_INF_EN_01-E0001)
) [OJ C 294, 1.8.2022](./../../../legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=OJ:C:2022:294:TOC).

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