Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 21 November 2013 —
Equinix (Germany) v OHIM — Acotel (ancotel.)

(Case T‑443/12)

Community trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for Community figurative mark ancotel. — Earlier Community figurative mark ACOTEL — Relative ground for refusal — Likelihood of confusion — Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009

1.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community 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 — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see paras 21, 22)

2.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community 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 (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see paras 26, 32)

3.                     Community trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the Community 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 ancotel. and ACOTEL (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see paras 37, 40‑42, 46, 55‑57)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of OHIM of 3 August 2012 (Case R 1895/2011‑4) relating to opposition proceedings between Acotel SpA and ancotel GmbH, now Equinix (Germany) GmbH.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Equinix (Germany) GmbH to pay the costs.