Judgment of the Court of First Instance (Fifth Chamber, Extended Composition) of 12 June 2007 – Budĕjovický Budvar v OHIM – Anheuser-Busch (BUDWEISER)
(Joined Cases T-53/04 to T-56/04, T-58/04 and T-59/04)
Community trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Applications for a Community word mark BUDWEISER – Appellations of origin registered under the Lisbon Agreement – Article 8(4) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 – Rejection of the opposition
1. Community trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an unregistered trade mark or other sign used in commerce (Council Regulation No 40/94, Art. 8(4)) (see paras 70-74)
2. Community trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an unregistered trade mark or other sign used in commerce (Council Regulation No 40/94, Art. 8(4)) (see para. 204)
Re:
ACTION brought against six decisions of the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM of 3 December 2003 (Cases R 820/2001-2, R 822/2001-2, R 823/2001-2, R 921/2001-2, R 29/2002-2 and R 32/2002-2), concerning opposition proceedings between Budějovický Budvar, národní podnik and Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Information relating to the case
Applicant for the Community trade mark:
Anheuser-Busch Inc.
Community trade mark sought:
Word mark BUDWEISER for goods in Classes 9, 14, 16, 21, 25, 29, 30, 35, 38, 41 and 42 – Applications Nos 739177, 24612, 24661, 24620, 24638 and 927533
Proprietor of the mark or sign cited in the opposition proceedings:
Budĕjovický Budvar, národní podnik
Mark or sign cited in opposition:
Indications of origin BUDWEISER BIER, BUDWEISER BIER-BUDVAR, BUDWEISER BUDVAR
Decision of the Opposition Division:
Oppositions dismissed
Decision of the Board of Appeal :
Appeal dismissed
Operative part
The Court:
Dismisses the applications in Joined Cases T‑53/04 to T‑56/04, T‑58/04 and T‑59/04;
Orders Budějovický Budvar, národní podnik to pay the costs.
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