EuG: Keine Verwechslungsgefahr zwischen "Tour de France"-Marken und der Marke "TOUR DE X" im Bereich Fitness und Sportartikel
EuG
Urteil vom 12.06.2024
T-604/22
Société du Tour de France / EUIPO – FitX (TOUR DE X)
Das EuG hat entschieden, dass keine Verwechslungsgefahr zwischen "Tour de France"-Marken und der Marke "TOUR DE X" im Bereich Fitness und Sportartikel besteht.
Die Pressemitteilung des EuG:
Trade mark law: the action brought by Société du Tour de France against registration of the trade mark Tour de X is dismissed
That mark may be used, inter alia, for sporting articles and sporting activities.
In May 2017, the German gym chain FitX filed an application with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for registration of the following figurative sign as an EU trade mark:
[ABBILDUNG der Marke TOUR DE X]
The application for registration covered a number of goods and services, including clothing, shoes, games, toys and video games apparatus, sporting articles and equipment, sporting education services, training, entertainment and sporting and cultural activities.
The French company Société du Tour de France opposed the registration, relying on word and figurative marks with the expression TOUR DE FRANCE or LE TOUR DE FRANCE which it had registered in respect of a number of goods and services.
EUIPO considered that, although the goods and services covered by the marks were identical or similar, there was no likelihood of confusion. Furthermore, the use of the trade mark Tour de X would not take unfair advantage of, or be detrimental to, the trade marks of Société du Tour de France.
Société du Tour de France challenged EUIPO’s decision before the General Court of the European Union.
The General Court dismisses the action brought by Société du Tour de France.
It confirms, in essence, EUIPO’s analysis.
The Court holds that the public will not confuse the marks despite the identity or similarity of the goods and services and the enhanced distinctiveness acquired through use of the marks of the Société du Tour de France as regards the services in respect of the organisation of cycling competitions. The only common element between the marks – ‘tour de’ – has a weak distinctive character and the degree of similarity between the marks is low.
According to the Court, the use of the mark Tour de X in respect of the goods and services that it covers will not take unfair advantage of, or be detrimental to, the distinctive character or the repute of the Société du Tour de France’s trade marks. The public will not make a connection between the marks because, inter alia, the enhanced distinctiveness acquired through use and the reputation of the marks Tour de France and Le Tour de France do not extend to the element common to the conflicting marks: the element ‘tour de’. The Court finds that that element is a descriptive expression which is very commonly used in the context of cycling competitions and similar events and has very little, if any, distinctive character.
Den Volltext der Entscheidung finden Sie hier:
Urteil vom 12.06.2024
T-604/22
Société du Tour de France / EUIPO – FitX (TOUR DE X)
Das EuG hat entschieden, dass keine Verwechslungsgefahr zwischen "Tour de France"-Marken und der Marke "TOUR DE X" im Bereich Fitness und Sportartikel besteht.
Die Pressemitteilung des EuG:
Trade mark law: the action brought by Société du Tour de France against registration of the trade mark Tour de X is dismissed
That mark may be used, inter alia, for sporting articles and sporting activities.
In May 2017, the German gym chain FitX filed an application with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for registration of the following figurative sign as an EU trade mark:
[ABBILDUNG der Marke TOUR DE X]
The application for registration covered a number of goods and services, including clothing, shoes, games, toys and video games apparatus, sporting articles and equipment, sporting education services, training, entertainment and sporting and cultural activities.
The French company Société du Tour de France opposed the registration, relying on word and figurative marks with the expression TOUR DE FRANCE or LE TOUR DE FRANCE which it had registered in respect of a number of goods and services.
EUIPO considered that, although the goods and services covered by the marks were identical or similar, there was no likelihood of confusion. Furthermore, the use of the trade mark Tour de X would not take unfair advantage of, or be detrimental to, the trade marks of Société du Tour de France.
Société du Tour de France challenged EUIPO’s decision before the General Court of the European Union.
The General Court dismisses the action brought by Société du Tour de France.
It confirms, in essence, EUIPO’s analysis.
The Court holds that the public will not confuse the marks despite the identity or similarity of the goods and services and the enhanced distinctiveness acquired through use of the marks of the Société du Tour de France as regards the services in respect of the organisation of cycling competitions. The only common element between the marks – ‘tour de’ – has a weak distinctive character and the degree of similarity between the marks is low.
According to the Court, the use of the mark Tour de X in respect of the goods and services that it covers will not take unfair advantage of, or be detrimental to, the distinctive character or the repute of the Société du Tour de France’s trade marks. The public will not make a connection between the marks because, inter alia, the enhanced distinctiveness acquired through use and the reputation of the marks Tour de France and Le Tour de France do not extend to the element common to the conflicting marks: the element ‘tour de’. The Court finds that that element is a descriptive expression which is very commonly used in the context of cycling competitions and similar events and has very little, if any, distinctive character.
Den Volltext der Entscheidung finden Sie hier:
Trackbacks
Keine Trackbacks
Die Kommentarfunktion wurde vom Besitzer dieses Blogs in diesem Eintrag deaktiviert.
Kommentare
Ansicht der Kommentare: Linear | Verschachtelt