Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 27 October 2016 —
El Corte Inglés v EUIPO — English Cut (The English Cut)

(Case T‑515/12 RENV)

(EU trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for EU word mark The English Cut — Earlier EU figurative and national word marks El Corte Inglés — Relative ground for refusal — Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 — Reputation)

1.                     EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU 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 — Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark — Detriment to the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark — Criteria for assessment (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5)) (see paras 29, 30)

2.                     EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU 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 — Word mark The English Cut — Word and figurative marks El Corte Inglés (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5)) (see paras 32-34, 52, 56)

3.                     EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU 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 — Aim — Proof to be adduced by proprietor — Future, non-hypothetical risk of unfair advantage or damage (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5)) (see paras 37, 54)

4.                     EU trade mark — Definition and acquisition of the EU 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 38-40)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 6 September 2012 (Case R 1673/2011-1), relating to opposition proceedings between El Corte Inglés and The English Cut.

Operative part

The Court:

1.                     Dismisses the action;

2. Orders El Corte Inglés, SA to bear its own costs and those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).