1. 

EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it – Not included

(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 72(2) and 95)

(see paragraphs 15, 16)

2. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Enhanced distinctiveness of the earlier mark – Effect

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 21, 51-53)

3. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Earlier trade mark constituted by an EU trade mark – Refusal to register where there is a relative ground for refusal, even if limited to part of the Union

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paragraph 22)

4. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Similarity of the marks concerned – Assessment of the distinctive character of an element of which a trade mark is composed

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 25, 30)

5. 

EU trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the EU trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier mark registered in respect of identical or similar goods or services – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Word marks VEGE STORY and végé’

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 38, 42, 46, 47, 49, 50, 60, 62)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Orders Topas GmbH to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Tarczyński S.A.;

3. 

Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.