1. 

EU trade mark – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Alteration of a decision of EUIPO – Assessment in the light of the powers conferred on the Board of Appeal

(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 72(3))

(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 – Criteria for assessment

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

(see paragraphs 22, 23, 73)

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 – Similarity between the marks concerned – Criteria for assessment – Composite mark

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

(see paragraphs 26, 27, 38, 41, 56, 57)

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 – Likelihood of confusion with the earlier mark – Figurative mark, representing a dachshund in profile, GILBERT TECKEL, and figurative mark representing a dachshund in profile

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

(see paragraphs 34, 35, 38, 39, 58, 59, 71, 79)

5. 

EU trade mark – Procedural provisions – Statement of reasons for decisions – Article 94(1), first sentence, of Regulation 2017/1001 – Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU – Recourse by the Board of Appeal to implicit reasoning – Whether permissible – Conditions

(Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 94(1), first sentence)

(see paragraphs 47, 50, 51)

6. 

EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Legality – Examination by the EU judicature – Criteria

(Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001)

(see paragraph 83)

7. 

EU trade mark – Decisions of EUIPO – Principle of equal treatment – Principle of sound administration – EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice – Principle of legality – Need for a stringent and full examination in each individual case

(Art. 296 TFEU; European Parliament and Council Regulation 2017/1001, Art. 8(1)(b))

(see paragraphs 84-86)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Orders Contorno Textil, SL to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Harmont & Blaine SpA;

3. 

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