Judgment of the Court of First Instance (Fourth Chamber) of 15 February 2007 – Bodegas Franco-Españolas v OHIM – Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro (ROYAL)

(Case T-501/04)

Community trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the Community word mark ROYAL – Earlier Community word mark ROYAL FEITORIA – Relative ground for refusal – No likelihood of confusion – Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94

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 52-53)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 25 October 2004 (Case R 513/2002-1), relating to opposition proceedings between Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro, SA (Real Companhia Velha) and Bodegas Franco-Españolas, SA.

Information relating to the case

Applicant for the Community trade mark:	Bodegas Franco-Españolas, SA
Community trade mark sought:	Word mark ROYAL for goods in Class 33 – Application No 1056902
Proprietor of the mark or sign cited in the opposition proceedings:	Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro, SA (Real Companhia Velha)
Mark or sign cited in opposition:	Portuguese figurative mark ROYAL BRANDE No 122170, Community word mark ROYAL FEITORIA No 418301 and international word mark ROYAL OPORTO WINE COMPANY (Portugal) No 174788, for goods in Class 33
Decision of the Opposition Division:	Opposition upheld on the basis of Community trade mark No 418301 and registration refused
Decision of the Board of Appeal:	Appeal dismissed

Operative part

The Court:

1. Annuls the decision of the First Board of Appeal of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM) of 25 October 2004 (Case R 513/2002-1);

2. Orders OHIM to pay the costs.