Judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) of 19 May 2015 —
Swatch v OHIM — Panavision Europe (SWATCHBALL)

(Case T‑71/14)

Community trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for Community word mark SWATCHBALL — Community word and figurative marks and international word and figurative marks SWATCH and swatch — Relative ground for refusal — Damage to reputation — Article 8(5) 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 enjoying a reputation — Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services — Conditions — Link between the marks — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5)) (see paras 17-21)

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 enjoying a reputation — Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services — Conditions — Link between the marks — Word mark SWATCHBALL — Word and figurative marks SWATCH and swatch (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5)) (see paras 23-25, 32, 33, 36)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 11 November 2013 (Case R 470/2012-2), relating to opposition proceedings between Swatch AG and Panavision Europe Ltd.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Swatch AG to pay the costs.