Judgment of the Court of First Instance (Fourth Chamber) of 18 April 2007 – House of Donuts v OHIM – Panrico (House of donuts)

(Joined Cases T-333/04 and T-334/04)

Community trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Applications for Community figurative marks ‘House of donuts’ – Earlier national word marks ‘DONUT’ and earlier figurative marks ‘donuts’ – Relative ground for refusal – Likelihood of confusion

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 (Council Regulation No 40/94, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see paras 57-59)

Re:

TWO ACTIONS brought against the decisions of the Fourth Board of Appeal of OHIM of 12 May 2004 (Cases R 1034/2001‑4 and R 1036/2001‑4) concerning opposition proceedings between Panrico, SA and House of Donuts International.

Information relating to the case

Applicant for the Community trade mark:	House of Donuts International
Community trade mark sought:	Figurative mark ‘House of donuts’ for goods and services in classes 30, 32 and 42 – Application No 474486
Proprietor of the mark or sign cited in the opposition proceedings:	Panrico, SA
Mark or sign cited in opposition:	Spanish word and figurative marks ‘DONUT’ and ‘donuts’ for goods and services in classes 30, 32 and 42
Decision by the Opposition Division:	Registration refused
Decision of the Board of Appeal:	Appeal dismissed

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders the applicant to pay the costs of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) and of the intervener.