Appeal brought on 8 August 2012 by Environmental Manufacturing LLP against the judgment of the General Court (Fourth Chamber) delivered on 22 May 2012 in Case T-570/10: Environmental Manufacturing LLP v Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM)

(Case C-383/12 P)

(2012/C 331/21)

Language of the case: English

Parties

Appellant: Environmental Manufacturing LLP (represented by: S. Malynicz, Barrister, M. Atkins, Solicitor, K. Shadbolt, Trade Mark Attorney)

Other parties to the proceedings: Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs), Société Elmar Wolf

Form of order sought

The appellant seeks the following order:

Pleas in law and main arguments

Following the Court of Justice's judgment in Case C-252/07 Intel Corporation (2008) ECR I-8823, proof that the use of the later mark is or would be detrimental to the distinctive character of the earlier mark requires evidence of a change in the economic behaviour of the average consumer of the goods or services for which the earlier mark was registered consequent on the use of the later mark, or a serious likelihood that such a change will occur in the future. The General Court erroneously did not require such proof, instead concluding that it is sufficient merely if the earlier mark's ability to identify the goods or services for which it is registered and used as coming from the proprietor of that mark is weakened because use of the later mark leads to dispersion of the identity and hold upon the public mind of the earlier mark.