1. 

EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Appeal against a decision of the Opposition Division of EUIPO – Examination by the Board of Appeal – Scope – Facts and evidence not produced in support of the opposition within the period prescribed for that purpose – Account taken – Discretion of the Board of Appeal – Limits

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 95(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(4))

(see paragraphs 24-28, 31)

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 – Coexistence of earlier marks – Recognition of a certain degree of distinctiveness of a national mark

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Arts 8(1)(b) and (2)(a)(ii))

(see paragraphs 51, 55, 61)

3. 

EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – First sentence of Article 94(1) of Regulation 2017/1001 – Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU

(Art. 296 TFEU; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(2)(c); European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)

(see paragraphs 66, 67)

4. 

Judicial proceedings – Application initiating proceedings – Formal requirements – Identification of the subject matter of the dispute – Summary of the pleas in law on which the application is based

(Statute of the Court of Justice, Arts 21, first para., and 53, first para.; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 177(1)(d))

(see paragraphs 73, 74)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Orders Prolactal GmbH to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Prolàctea, SA;

3. 

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