Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 18 September 2024

Data

Court: General Court

Case date: 18 september 2024

Verdict

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 18 September 2024 –
Richards Brothers Group v EUIPO – Masia Puigmoltó (EL CABRÓN)

(Case T‑1168/23)⁽¹⁾

"(EU trade mark - Opposition proceedings - Application for the EU figurative mark EL CABRÓN - Earlier national figurative mark CABRÓ ! - Relative ground for refusal - Likelihood of confusion - Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 2017/2001)"

1. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markRelative grounds for refusalOpposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or servicesLikelihood of confusion with the earlier markCriteria for assessment

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 18, 19, 55)

2. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markRelative grounds for refusalOpposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or servicesSimilarity between the marks concernedCriteria for assessmentComposite mark

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 23, 24)

3. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markRelative grounds for refusalOpposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or servicesLikelihood of confusion with the earlier markFigurative marks EL CABRÓN and CABRÓ!

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 35, 44, 49, 56-60)

4. EU trade markDefinition and acquisition of the EU trade markRelative grounds for refusalOpposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or servicesLikelihood of confusion with the earlier markSimilarity between the marks concernedWhether conceptual differences may neutralise visual or phonetic similaritiesConditions

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paragraph 48)

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs;

3. Orders Richards Brothers Group to pay the costs incurred by Masia Puigmoltó, SL.