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 registered for identical or similar goods or services — Similarity of the marks concerned — Criteria for assessment

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paras 22-24)

2. 

EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Relative grounds for invalidity — Existence of an identical or similar earlier mark registered for identical or similar goods or services — Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark — Figurative mark Cuervo y Sobrinos LA HABANA 1882 and word marks CUERVO Y SOBRINO

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Arts 8(1)(b) and 53(1)(a))

(see paras 25-31, 35-44)

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 registered for identical or similar goods or services — Similarity between the goods or services in question — Criteria for assessment — Complementary nature of the goods or services

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paras 34, 41)

4. 

EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application — Criteria for assessment — Taking into account of all relevant factors at the time of filing the application for registration — Applicant’s knowledge that a third party is using an identical or similar sign — Intention of the applicant — Degree of legal protection of the signs at issue

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))

(see paras 48-53, 59)

5. 

EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application — Criteria for assessment — Taking into account of all relevant factors at the time of filing the application for registration — Applicant’s knowledge that a third party is using an identical or similar sign — Circumstance not sufficient to establish bad faith

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))

(see paras 54, 55)

6. 

EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application — Criteria for assessment — Taking into account of all relevant factors at the time of filing the application for registration — Applicant’s knowledge that a third party is using an identical or similar sign — Intention of the applicant — Origin and use of the sign in dispute — Commercial logic underlying the registration of the contested sign as an EU trade mark — Chronology of events characterising the filing of the trade mark application

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))

(see paras 56-58, 60, 61)

7. 

EU trade mark — Surrender, revocation and invalidity — Absolute grounds for invalidity — Applicant in bad faith when lodging the trade mark application — Figurative mark Cuervo y Sobrinos LA HABANA 1882

(Council Regulation No 207/2009, Art. 52(1)(b))

(see paras 64-74)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Dismisses the cross-claim;

3. 

Orders Cuervo y Sobrinos 1882, SL to bear its own costs and to pay half of the costs incurred by EUIPO;

4. 

Orders A. Salgado Nespereira, SA to bear its own costs and to pay half of the costs incurred by EUIPO.