Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 16 January 2014 —
Message Management v OHIM — Absacker (ABSACKER of Germany)

(Case T‑304/12)

Community trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for Community figurative mark ABSACKER of Germany — Earlier national figurative mark ABSACKER — 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 21-24, 48)

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 — Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark — Figurative marks ABSACKER of Germany and ABSACKER (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see paras 27-29, 47, 49, 50)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 21 March 2012 (Case R 1028/2011-1), relating to opposition proceedings between Absacker GmbH and Message Management GmbH.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Message Management GmbH to pay the costs.