Judgment of the General Court (Seventh Chamber) of 5 February 2015 —
Environmental Manufacturing v OHIM — Wolf (Representation of the head
of a wolf)

(Case T‑570/10 RENV)

Community trade mark — Opposition proceedings — Application for Community figurative mark representing a wolf’s head — Earlier national and international figurative marks WOLF Jardin and Outils WOLF — Relative ground for refusal — 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 — Detriment to the distinctive character of the earlier mark — Burden of proof (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5)) (see para. 38)

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 — Taking unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the earlier mark — Concept (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5)) (see paras 47, 50, 53)

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 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 48, 49)

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 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 — Burden of proof (Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(5)) (see paras 51, 52)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 6 October 2010 (Case R 425/2010-2), relating to opposition proceedings between Société Elmar Wolf and Environmental Manufacturing LLP.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Annuls the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM) of 6 October 2010 (Case R 425/2010-2);

2. Orders OHIM to bear its own costs before the General Court and the Court of Justice, and half of those incurred by Environmental Manufacturing LLP before the General Court and the Court of Justice;

3. Orders Société Elmar Wolf to bear its own costs before the General Court and the Court of Justice, and half of those incurred by Environmental Manufacturing before the General Court and the Court of Justice.