Judgment of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 29 June 2017 —
Mr. Kebab v EUIPO — Mister Kebap (Mr. KEBAB)

(Case T‑448/16)

(EU trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for registration of the EU figurative mark Mr. KEBAB — Earlier Spanish figurative mark MISTER KEBAP — Relative ground for refusal — Likelihood of confusion — Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009)

1.      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 — Criteria

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paras 18-21, 47, 51)

2.      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 Mr. KEBAB and MISTER KEBAP

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paras 23, 24, 46, 49)

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 — Similarity of the marks concerned — Criteria for assessment — Composite mark — Weak distinctive character of the dominant element

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paras 25, 26, 28)

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 — Coexistence of earlier marks — Recognition of a certain degree of distinctiveness of a national mark

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b); European Parliament and Council Directive 2008/95, Art. 3(1)(b))

(see paras 34-36)

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 — Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark — Weak distinctive character of the earlier mark — Effect

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see para. 52)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the 2nd Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 11 May 2006 (Case R 987/2015-2), relating to opposition proceedings between Mister Kebap and Mr. Kebab.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Mr. Kebab s. r. o. to pay the costs.