Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 14 May 2013 — Fabryka Łożysk Tocznych-Kraśnik v OHIM — Impexmetal (IKFŁT KRAŚNIK)

(Case T‑19/12)

Community trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for Community figurative mark IKFŁT KRAŚNIK — Earlier Community figurative mark FŁT — 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 — Assessment of the likelihood of confusion — Criteria (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see paras 27-29)

2.                     Community trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Legality — OHIM’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of non-discrimination — Irrelevant (Council Regulation No 207/2009) (see para. 36)

3.                     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 IKFŁT KRAŚNIK and FŁT (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see paras 52, 54)

4.                     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 — Similarity of the marks concerned — Criteria for assessment — Complex mark (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b)) (see para. 53)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 27 October 2011 (Case R 2475/2010‑1) concerning opposition proceedings between Impexmetal S.A. and Fabryka Łożysk Tocznych-Kraśnik S.A.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Fabryka Łożysk Tocznych-Kraśnik S.A to pay the costs.