Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 18 September 2014 — El Corte Inglés v OHIM — Gaffashion (BAUSS)

(Case T‑267/13)

Community trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for Community word mark BAUSS — Earlier Community figurative mark BASS3TRES — Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — No likelihood of confusion

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 18-20, 22, 55)

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 — Earlier mark consisting of a Community trade mark — Refusal to register on a ground relating to refusal even limited to part of the Union (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see para. 30)

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 — Similarity of the marks concerned — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see paras 33-35, 44)

4.                     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 — Work mark BAUSS and figurative mark BASS3TRES (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see paras 45, 53, 59, 60)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 21 February 2013 (Case R 2295/2011-2), concerning opposition proceedings between El Corte Inglés, SA and Gaffashion — Comércio de Accessórios de Moda, Lda.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders El Corte Inglés, SA to pay the costs.