Ordonnance de la Cour
Case C-3/03 P
Matratzen Concord GmbH, formerly Matratzen Concord AG
v
Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM)
(Appeal – Community trade mark – Regulation (EC) No 40/94 – Similarity between two trade marks – Likelihood of confusion – Application for a figurative Community trade mark containing the word ‘Matratzen’ – Earlier word mark MATRATZEN)
Summary of the Order
1. Community trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an identical or similar earlier trade mark registered for identical or similar goods or services – Similarity between the marks in question – Assessment criteria – Complex mark
(Council Regulation No 40/94, Art. 8(1)(b))
2. Appeals – Pleas in law – Review by the Court of Justice of the assessment of the facts put before the Court of First Instance – Exclusion – Word and figurative mark applied for as a Community trade mark
(Art. 225 EC; EC Statute of the Court of Justice, Art. 51)
3. Community trade mark – Right of the proprietor of a mark to oppose any use likely to impair the guarantee of origin – Right as part of the specific subject-matter of the trade-mark rights – Opposition to registration of a Community trade mark by the proprietor of a national mark regarded as being descriptive in the language of another Member State – Permissible with regard to the principle of the free movement of goods
(Art. 30 EC; Council Regulation No 40/94)
1. In the context of the application of Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94 on the Community trade mark, the assessment of the similarity between two marks does not amount to taking into consideration only one component of a complex trade mark and comparing it with another mark. On the contrary, such a comparison must be made by examining the marks in question, each considered as a whole. That does not mean that the overall impression created in the mind of the relevant public by a complex trade mark may not, in certain circumstances, be dominated by one or more of its components.
(see para. 32)
2. The appraisal of the facts by the Court of First Instance, which led it to hold that in the case of a word and figurative mark for which registration as a Community trade mark is sought the verbal element constitutes the dominant element of the mark at issue, does not constitute a point of law which is subject, as such, to review by the Court of Justice on appeal.
(see para. 34)
3. The right attributed to a trade-mark proprietor of preventing any use of the trade mark which is likely to impair the guarantee of origin, which constitutes the essential function of the trade mark, is part of the specific subject-matter of the trade-mark rights, the protection of which may justify derogations from the principle of the free movement of goods.
Consequently, the principle of the free movement of goods does not prohibit either a Member State from registering, as a national trade mark, a sign which, in the language of another Member State, is descriptive of the goods or services concerned, or the proprietor of such a trade mark from opposing, where there is a likelihood of confusion between that national trade mark and a Community trade mark applied for, registration of the latter.
(see paras 41-42)
ORDER OF THE COURT OF JUSTICE (Fourth Chamber)
28 April 2004(1)
(Appea1 – Community trade mark – Regulation (EC) No 40/94 – Similarity between two trade marks – Likelihood of confusion – Application for a figurative Community trade mark containing the word ‘Matratzen’ – Earlier word mark MATRATZEN)
In Case C-3/03 P,
Matratzen Concord GmbH, formerly Matratzen Concord AG, established in Cologne, Germany, represented by W.-W. Wodrich, Rechtsanwalt, with an address for service in Luxembourg,
appellant,
APPEAL against the judgment of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities (Fourth Chamber) of 23 October 2002 in Case T-6/01 Matratzen Concord v OHIM – Hukla Germany (Matratzen) [2002] ECR II-4335, by which the Court dismissed the application brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) of 31 October 2000 refusing to register a figurative mark as a Community trade mark (Joined Cases R 728/1999-2 and R 792/1999-2, seeking to have that judgment set aside,
the other party to the proceedings being:
Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM), represented by A. von Mühlendahl and G. Schneider, acting as Agents,
defendant at first instance,
THE COURT (Fourth Chamber),
composed of J.N. Cunha Rodrigues, President of the Chamber, F. Macken (Rapporteur) and K. Lenaerts, Judges,
Advocate General: C. Stix-Hackl,
Registrar: R. Grass,
after hearing the Advocate General,
makes the following
Order
1 By application lodged at the Court Registry on 6 January 2003, Matratzen Concord GmbH (‘Matratzen’) brought an appeal under Article 49 of the EC Statute of the Court of Justice against the judgment of the Court of First Instance of 23 October 2002 in Case T-6/01 Matratzen Concord v OHIM – Hukla Germany (Matratzen) [2002] ECR II-4335 (‘the contested judgment’), by which the Court dismissed the action brought against the decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (‘OHIM’) of 31 October 2000 refusing to register a figurative mark as a Community trade mark (Joined Cases R 728/1999-2 and R 792/1999-2) (‘the contested decision’), seeking to have that judgment set aside.
Legal background
2 Article 8 of Council Regulation (EC) No 40/94 of 20 December 1993 on the Community trade mark (OJ 1994 L 11, p. 1) provides:
‘1. Upon opposition by the proprietor of an earlier trade mark, the trade mark applied for shall not be registered:
...
(b) if because of its identity with or similarity to the earlier trade mark and the identity or similarity of the goods or services covered by the trade marks there exists a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public in the territory in which the earlier trade mark is protected; the likelihood of confusion includes the likelihood of association with the earlier trade mark.
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, “earlier trade mark” means:
(a) trade marks of the following kinds with a date of application for registration which is earlier than the date of application for registration of the Community trade mark, taking account, where appropriate, of the priorities claimed in respect of those trade marks:
...
(ii) trade marks registered in a Member State, or, in the case of Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg, at the Benelux Trade Mark Office ...
...’.
3 Article 12 of the regulation, entitled ‘Limitation of the effects of a Community trade mark’, states:
‘A Community trade mark shall not entitle the proprietor to prohibit a third party from using in the course of trade:
...
(b) indications concerning the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, the time of production of the goods or of rendering of the service, or other characteristics of the goods or services;
...
provided he uses them in accordance with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters.’
4 Under Article 106(1) of the regulation, entitled ‘Prohibition of use of Community trade marks’:
‘This regulation shall, unless otherwise provided for, not affect the right existing under the laws of the Member States to invoke claims for infringement of earlier rights within the meaning of Article 8 or Article 52(2), in relation to the use of a later Community trade mark. Claims for infringement of earlier rights within the meaning of Article 8(2) and (4) may, however, no longer be invoked if the proprietor of the earlier right may no longer apply for a declaration that the Community trade mark is invalid in accordance with Article 53(2).’
Facts
5 On 10 October 1996, the appellant filed an application for registration as a Community trade mark of the word and figurative trade mark reproduced below:
iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAATIAAACpCAYAAACoELHxAAAAAXNSR0IArs4c6QAAAAlwSFlz AAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAABl0RVh0U29mdHdhcmUATWljcm9zb2Z0IE9mZmljZX/tNXEAAGvm SURBVHhe7d0FcC3NcQXgdfIHHWZmZo6DDjMzOswchzmxHXKYHOY4zOgwMzMzMzP526rzV2cy S9K9ek9PM1UqSfcuzPZ0nzkNM3vXf//3f//PNNqQwJDAkMA1lcD97ne/e9x1Tfs+uj0kMCQw JHC3BAaQDWUYEhgSuPYSGEB27YdwPMCQwJDAALKhA0MCQwLXXgIDyK79EI4HGBIYEhhANnRg SGBI4NpLYADZtR/C8QBDAkMCA8iGDgwJDAlcewkMILv2QzgeYEhgSGAA2YIO3OMe97j7m//5 n7H4YZjKkMDtLIEBZJ3RAWK//uu/Pv3FX/zF9IIv+IJTQG0A2u2syqNvN1kCA8gWRv+Hf/iH p/ve977TMz7jM06v/dqvPb3t277t9AiP8AjTALObbC7j2W9XCdxyIKsuHCHdLkDxpm/6ptMz PMMzTN/+7d8+vdd7vdf0JV/yJdNnfMZnTM/5nM952/TxdlWq0a8hgauWwC0Bsha86kPfDm7c f/3Xf01/+7d/O93rXveafzCy13iN15he7dVebfrpn/7p6bEf+7EHmF21po77DQmsSODKgSxA 9Qu/8AvTj/zIj0zf+Z3fOceitKd92qedXviFX3h6hVd4helxHudxbglY6N8P/dAPTe/xHu8x PfqjP/rcH4zs677u66bneI7nmD7hEz5heui2IUOphgSGBG4jCVwpkAGJf/zHf5y++7u/e3rd 133d6a677ppe6ZVeaXqUR3mU6VEf9VGnP/iDP5je5E3eZHqyJ3uy6Su+4ium53/+559FdZXu pns913M91/Rpn/Zp04/92I9NH/MxHzN9+qd/+tyfT/3UT51+8zd/8zYavtGVIYEhARI4G5C1 LqL//+qv/mp6sRd7semP//iPZ1bziq/4inMwvbbv+77vm977vd97eumXfunp8z7v86bXfM3X nLOGVwlmgPV5nud55p+Xf/mXn573eZ93ZmJf/dVfPffjKvsy1HRIYEhgWwJnATLA813f9V2z e/jsz/7scy8euhPt9H7v937Tn/3Zn03f8A3fML3QC71Qt3f3vve95wD7S77kS06v9VqvNf3q r/7q9PRP//TbT3LCIwBVgPipnuqppm/6pm+a/uVf/mW+QwXVpVjfALoTDsa41JDADgmcHMgY 93/8x39MH/IhHzK9+7u/+91A9p7v+Z7TD/zAD0zf8z3fMz3zMz/zqsv4aI/2aDMbA3ZiUxja VTbPAHB/7ud+bnrxF3/x6QVe4AX+T39bAPv7v//7OTnwsA/7sDN4jzKNqxytca8hgTO5lt/x Hd8x/du//dvsHmoyfWJMD3nIQ6ZneqZn2nTNMJpneZZnmRncl3/5l0/v/M7vPD3SIz3S5nmn GFAg9Sd/8iez2/szP/Mz01u91VtNH/uxHzvH8MLI/PbdZ37mZ84A9v3f//2zu/wwD/Mw0/M9 3/PNsTRxtsHMTjEi4xpDAtsSOCkjC1P5lm/5ltktFGvSZCZf7uVebgaxI+1pnuZppt/+7d+e /vzP/3x68id/8iOnHj42ff/Lv/zL6d3e7d3m81/iJV5i+tzP/dyZRX7pl37pHDPT1JMpkNUk Kxz/n//5n9Nv/dZvTZ/92Z89x/UkNJ7yKZ9ygNnhkRgnDAkcl8BJgczt/+mf/mkuqxDjSvvF X/zFu2NiR1gKdvPwD//w04//+I+fFcgCYljj+7zP+8wgrACWqyhz+cZv/MZz0B+o+RxLBFav //qvPz33cz/3fNwXfuEXzhlOn73Zm73ZfDwwe6IneqILgdntUE93XJ3GGUMCt0YCJweyf/3X f51LFP76r/96fqIUlwr2H21/+qd/OicJ1JedqwUwHvjAB871Yq/yKq8yPeABD5jBSVMC8o3f +I3Ty77sy87fPfIjP/L0yZ/8ydM7vuM7zp9/5Vd+5exS/uzP/uwEsLE4YPciL/Iis0vq52jW da1g+FxyGNcdErjOEjg5kAl0P+ZjPubMzLS/+7u/mw38zd/8zQ/LCThYJnTUJd17owDG273d 283xLgkGS5O0yhxlTd/yLd9y+sAP/MDpEz/xE+e/Hftt3/Ztc8Est1nx7Bd90RfNP5IDH/3R Hz0D4+M93uPNv/eCmePI7n3f933nPnz8x3/8XG93hMnuff5x3JDAnSKBkwIZYxMXU3OVmBYD VxH/N3/zN7tlxpj/4R/+Yfqqr/qq2a3jXp7akANi3EExr8///M+f7nOf+/w/EMtxP//zPz/3 QxaTC2qZkuLef/7nf54+53M+Z3riJ37iOdP5pE/6pNNTPMVTzEua/v3f/312VWVfAd5WS6JB P37qp35qZn6Y4amffasf4/shgesmgZMCWZiMNYlpDFHG0bIfsaMtZhLg+OAP/uA5SYCRnLrV e3Apv+ZrvmZeR5nWunbcZPGulI3c8573nIFLoaznA17ATXIC+7TESr9lW7FKDE6h7+M//uMv gpJ7/uEf/uH09m//9tOLvuiLzozvSZ7kSQaInXrwx/XuSAmcHMgipbAIBipepKbsDd7gDeYY UsBsLaAtA/isz/qsJ3cr3ZO7C2RU6mM9FcT0X+AegwI8v/u7vzt9wAd8wFwQK9jPZXy2Z3u2 6Xu/93vnlQo+V6rBpcZCsTFFvJZgAe9XfdVXnQtq3U+SYA3IxRclGnrM8I7UvvFQQwInksBZ gKx1heweIejN3VLGgHFgNZUB5ZxU1StrUAhrX7C6ueEpnvuzPuuzZrD61m/91jm+VZsaMIF8 ruNjPdZjzaUfQMraSyClpEJ92/3vf//Jwne1csBOQoKrackVEAZ6EgMv9VIvNX3xF3/xDFBi bR/2YR/WBTPPjdH5CbM9xbOOawwJ3AQJnAXIquAYKFAAGlgJ9gIQlCnELVN02jIV7E3cyuaG zn2Mx3iM+bKABWBoilSBjBou11KcCiBlOh3D5fO52jDZU/1QvPoRH/ERc9FqC2Kf8imfMr3T O73THKB3Xdd5l3d5l3khux1jsTGFrk/91E89F/wKwgMo13yd13md6Wu/9mvnTKbrYmqYKLDj WksUWF+q0NexvRYQHzGxm2B64xlPKYGzA1nYBaahUNY6SvGjBz/4wTOT0QTMAUbAjCEDJPEr gXKuHHABLNy2rHsEEJYzASu/JQge8REfcfqjP/qjiZsGdFzzV37lV+ZYEzb1y7/8y3MBq1hU +uaYuH9cYBlDrOrXfu3XZtdQ8sL5yiy+/uu/fgY5a0nVyr3N27zNnAQAzpie5IY+YF/iY/om fgbEXe+DPuiD5lIOx/UAa4DYKdV7XOumSOBKgKwCxsu8zMtMfqzHlAkEGtwt2UmuXG0q6QEO 41ZYCsiABiakYWI+cx4gs/0PxoY9ARu/HQsMgQpWhhnJJNY+AVeA9Xqv93qz2/h7v/d7c7Bd H7/5m795jqkBLDG1t37rt55BiAspS2lNqc+wLzt7YGv6JXvrt5o637kGd1SCQDmGTOlW4mNJ CUex7E0xz/GceyVwZUAW4PCbIT7cwz3cXBX/ru/6rrO7KWbl7zTgBbS4gOdq+mHVgGwq9xYo cWm5pdxWnwv0Y4eADTCKef3oj/7ozCIxSjVf2Jt+quYHvoBKWQe30+4ZgJL7ybXEyLjL2CJw 3NtqJhUoYn1jcfpe6Y3j7nQJXCmQVZAKoKnLAgAMXyxKMW0b+K8geGRA1irksTMBeW4mIBX/ UibBRVQ+gZXZrQPAiWsBLDtxYH8AhItp5YEmLmZrIu03fuM35kyrJAAmCPCwM4vKgQ/mCfSs yXS/vXViSkD8cMmVi3CTH/SgB01P8ARPMEo0jijFOPaOlMAtAbIKaOJcQMxLPeya0QbC98aM em7a0rmOBWJcQi6lJUXiaMopXvmVX3kGLG5hQOp3fud35u2IuMJP+IRPOGddZVIxNkAiSaAB NgzPdYCdmrIv+IIvmF1aZSfYHeC2igDQiZ1Jeqw1fXW+2B2QBIquA/CvakeQO1Lzx0PdURK4 pUAWScoqMkqxp4u0MK+9axTFy+yPJl4FVD7u4z5uLkbFmvwtmWAlAsDCqLiU2Jk+AjXJBMF8 x1mX6W9b/0gwADGMzHWBneuqSeOeyqoqpAWSEgUAEHCvsbJkMsX1gJgi2dr2Av1F5DrOGRK4 LhK4pUCWpUhiRrKWsnlHDdM1xJ+wGyyHG1ivIdgvCSDjCEBU6HPvgAIXz2fcPDVfgBQzs1Hi R37kR86sSuGrheN+xPGUXSgFwSA1wAKIZFOtRpBhBVqP+7iPO7unXmIipuZa+oBdedkKhqUf 9moDqFuszJrTymSvi4KNfg4JXIUEbimQeUAunqC5eNHRFgamPEINV00MABegoQEhQXhb8vzk T/7kXHRqLSM3kDsrlgXwlG8APWskLSlSd6YwV9IB4L36q7/6nKhQ4Go/MkF9gAUcLRZXIuJH aYY9zD70Qz90Xlgu7obhASzgZsUAVxNze//3f/+5Tm4rVnYU4I/Kchw/JHCdJXDLgAwgWMLD kDEixatHjTVuFyYGyICOEooP//APn+vFxJHsRME9FPcCSO6DOf3SL/3SHMMSOOcaPt3TPd0M cjKWViA43qaOrulvy6WstQRQSiy4jjKcP/iDPziXc7gP4BTQl/3E6rAzQCcGxy3lRtpZVuOi AkOsDJi2xbnXWalG34cErloCtwTI4lKKUwm2L1W67xWGtZLABJCkit+1Ac3v//7vzz8ykzKN 2JbiV6AESDEo5REYG9YkO2m5kVo3TI/rpz7MEiXMDXsU91IbpiRDmYZtgGQUgZaiX/2QwACO 7vsTP/ETMyu04aTjubHuAVTFzNSUAbKL1pXtldM4bkjgTpXALQEywrTmEnBgOGJHR9mYa8S1 5K5x/bhoAAXocN0s0ub2YWfABCgpn5B5FJxXTMulzGaKXEf/K8UAQliY+JagvXMsN1L2AHws c8LGAJaYFyYms4nRcRkBHjdVLE58TIJBWQcAkxSwr5k4GQBWPyfOJ7kw2pDAkMBxCVw5kAEf rp51lKrsL1LUWbOTaqmwL24kBiVhwGXkOoqBcQOxIMDxDu/wDvMidJ9xZ7mkQEz1PoCxfTVX F0sDjEBPAayMpSVGMppeIuw8sT1vWbIgnutp5YHdL1Lxjw1iXgAzLy7B1CQTsDky4Na+0Ru9 0QyG3EwxPMdeBNSPD/04Y0jgzpHAlQJZAMgyIJX9jP1IqwAmWC/WBYT85v6p6XJtQPVRH/VR c7AeQxOjwtCwKhlFYIZFyUjKNnIVASpQ1ICNID13EKC5L1anz1iTa1oKJWjPFbVUCZBhltxF TFChLUACdoAOkGJdsp3eXB5m6D52+QBklkBlh9ojchnHDgncdAlcKZARtrgUNmZXVa1lHxWs 6nf5nIumNAKbwaawLhk/NVmAintp+U/AhatnzWTeO2nLbd9ZOgR8FLEK1Cs2BVRiY6r01X6p 9VKSIev4ZV/2ZXMcizsK1KwPtYNtXjSiJEN8ThxNAN/7LQG1lQHAzOoFLiXg4nq6F+AV6LfF EZATa1M+Il63JpeqtIO93XQTHs9PAlcGZAEiVenWGHLjesaq7EFAnvtWQQ1IYF7iX4BKgFx2 UdwLcGBJXEtgIz4lxiWRwCUETkAD4Knml3GUAHjDN3zDuexDWURcQ4u8MTSxLf0QE7OrhdIM QITNcWMxMrVdauBcw7H2MZPl9L3j9AOgAUTn6zsWJ3Ymy4oFYnAKbpVyeHYlJJIINfDvb8+n ENfxgNRneXHwUOUhgZsugSsBsgCS+BOjxW7aFvdNlo+7xtXi6gEIi625h9xCaw0F2wXeP+mT Pmn+H2gBFtsDASLuoPib7CTWJpiOlVnEnc0RxboE9YHCve9977tfkoKZOR7YKcfAtGQiU/gK FJVxADvuqetyJX0GOLm6ACcgDTglCwAq9uatS65rFQF3l6sq8aFkhFvpObHH7L8WObkXwBRz 8wMEAbfPBiu76WY8nv9KgIyYZf/sL8albPeuB2KMXxmG7+yKIY6kih7QiIclw8cFA1JcQwyL qyemJcgPzMS8NN/JVPpMzRYXUl0YZgakAICAOxYFFDE7gIaJyT4CUUDINc0usJIAGBEgcrx7 Y1dARxwMqAIn33tW212rH+MOc0MxLS9i8SzKPzyffko0OAaoAWP7lonPpQEqtW5WFgBVCQWJ g7rL7lDlIYGbLIGzA1ncItk9WUNuYG1ha9YsAgSxL9k+4MLwxZYAA0bCXcNwgIuaLU1cDHvj tlnnCJiwGudgQQAHiChQFe8CGhhQPscOLQbn+nnZCWCxBxpXU/Eq9hdQwdaAB7ADvJiTJUjA ChPUR/0BSlxcsUDxOAwR2Np9llusVMPLh4G077msykR8hmn5v20BM4A2YmQ32WTHs/ckcFYg C0iJI/kbWGmtKyTehQEl6M2VFDQHEgLflv9gKbKCarGUQ3DlgJ7dI7iJ2JGYmeOwHWzKPmEy gUAGQHH93Pte97rXzGgE7JU8COwDLfEsYKS+DYPDnATq1ZM537WdL6HgeSQOsDjuotIL4Chu xfXzORcZWHlu53FrgZylS8osfC/253MsC/O0EB2Y9dpwIYcRDwn0JXA2IAuIcZVUzgMWTKvN RAIQu8RqYmjcK1vfcNkUnQIr7qZYGZCxDQ62BswwHqwIAGJQmI4aMqwHWClw5VpiZ9gdRidr iBUqzdA38TXuHrDDtBToAlHlHBq2BkCBDXcW+Oib4DuQxLT0X8xM2Yd7cE39KO8QhyMLbimQ AroAE0P0XLKWkhiKegEnVmZp02hDAkMC+yVwNiDTBWwE+8CwsltEusa4GTb3DwMCFpgLUAF2 2I4qe8F1xa0ARQYReDkXKGJ6yhVscy2JwIUTowJ4WJSiV0xNwF/JAzDDqoCn87G5hzzkITOg AUTupWtjdApe/QY2QMu9ubTu4TgunngbILNzh7owAXyuJTDCsNSSYWdhXGJ1QNA9LKtyHSwS KwR4WJ+i2xbw9w/nOHJI4GZK4CxAxlAZvFILRiw21nMpsRJsCTsCUECAu4e1ABBuGEBynAp7 oAU4gIHYFsBzDsDD0jSghjVZVwmcuH1ASfwL0NhqmmvoO8wIcwMksoauCXwlFMTaZAVlK4GU 38oqMEvsSqIAsAE7wIhNAS3urMwlpiUmx211TYxPDM97NCUkHCepoeRCllRmU4LD9YYLeTON cTz1xSVwFiDTHWyDQQOybPfcdpOhc+OwKbVWMnKaGBFWhdVgTMALmxJPAh4AQ4wLWMoUMnyx M24pdw+wuDY2KMMp8M7FBEhquzBBMTaLuAGfejABe64jIAGqCdy7H7cWW3JfwMmt1QTlMTyu oYQCt1RMT3JA0S5mBmDJgnvN3dQvCQQAKwsJRMUCAaki2QFiF1fmcebNlcBZgIwxijdhGlwm 29owbMwphuq3mJZMHjcLU5ERVFXP5QMKgELWUqmEffHFvLhdAA2bUk5h2x6uJ9YmzgQUuX0Y kBgV1uNHVpPbCnD0Q2YSqIhpYYw2ZgRwwEShrBIN7qRjASYww6KUXzjPZ8AUgOozMNIfdWWu mf36PQMmidEBSCsbMD2MjcsrWynu12OsN1ctx5MPCRyTwFmATBcAgvWOgvAADSsDJu1WNYLq GIriVgDAneRayjBiTdxIoAXIuHuC88onlEJgSRiYJgsI9FwrVfkADxvCoFxPnxyHZQElmUVg CqzsZCF7CngBIsAS09Jv9W2ymILw+o8puj9Q1R9ArCYMI1SWgXlxQYEZtse1VPFvHSgWZmNH TJO7nDaY2DHFHUcPCVQJnAXI6tKibNGsvILbJYhfjRe7EbQXYwJWgv+MHkh4EQhAeYu3eIuZ tfgBTmJg3EDMCwi5BiCRLLCzhMyl8/2WocTM9MPOrhIL4mKKXJ2PBWKLQM6yJeCm5k2fuJe2 2RHDA57cUMDMRVVmIVMJsICjGFwANAviJSpSiQ/EMDzsTTzMMYOFDWMcEjiNBE4OZMlGYh7W KAIO4ITZACSggB1VI/YaOOxNrEnwX5zKbyAh68iFAwiW8HA7XRdzsmBcqQXmhtFIDGBk4mGA g7vKdQNIYmwAz5Y/PlNEC+z0yz006x0BHkbFZVVWwTVUBuIZLEWShMCm9Al4avpp+ZMtrrmv ilyxLesmyQFoCuTLqA4GdhrFHVcZEjgLIwsLsxgai+F6cfUwMfEhYMLAxZ8cw7gDZhgOsMDW ZC0F/bljYl/268KEAIRMJFdSzMzOElxWWT9ABiDF0CyB4o4K+AM0P9xH37uP5ICM5X3uc595 JQGww6QwLCClKNWWO2ragJpMowA/8PNiXBlNn3M/PYtYnM8wRdfwnXsBWL9lboGmPgwGNoxv SOA8EjgpIxPjYtyydlwxrpfANqARz+LmCYbLInL3uIGJDQEWrMkP8FK7pbYM2GBgYlpATkBe ttFmhDKiGJNlR2JY1jdqdrNQYqFhd1xGDMqyJnEv7ihgwbqUZnAtrdXE1oAvYJPx1H/uKoam ah84Kr3AtmQr49JaeSDriSHql8/FA7mWwHEA2HmUd1x1SCASOAmQYWMWaAMo7hN3CvsBDEBM ExeysFodFzADeGJiQAKYATrsyHH2FrNeEqAJsItLWWMpGK/qX1wrBapYjwyi/2UWlXFgbT4D clidJuifQlkAKksJZBynsDWJBrErzFFCQCZU7I77iQViWUpB9MN9fcZdVi5ic0RABpBlMNWc 1dYmOYYKDgkMCZxOAicBMt0R0wIWqtwVnsoCYkPcMSADgAAE0ABYCkWBHjdTtg+YATXV8FgQ MOKSqb9yDYxH6QSWJmAurua3OBX3TyZQ8B5YyRZiUO6LjTnHPbiUjvEdAOMecgcBIMYmiaAU Q/wNOLkntxKAAUQMLvulYWXYITYGdCUfgKHkRBhYTXr4bGnTyNMN57jSkMDNlMDJgExMTOPm ASWul+ygpUVcMvVWwAHLUV4hcI7RAAeV7uJgmvoubhl3EmhwAV1LExfDzgAbFxFrAqCYHyYl 6G7DRm4poMLugJ3/AZjiVOUdAA1bA7ySAlgWEMMKsUYxNoDke2An/iXWJnbnmdxfwJ/7LGNp PSigDPsMaCm+teTIffVbIgKQA2GMbpRc3EyjG099egmcDMhk7QCQzF/e+s3FBGAM2VpHWT0s CXBhPqrugZktnq2LxIAYvJoyGUqfY29cUKwL2Mj+YT8+43piUrKVAJPLiaEJvgM6rA54ABix MDGv7HTB9QVSgvHABVC5h1gcIAOK6tbE3sTWsEf9VsgqIaB2zCaQVi9ga7UmTKZW5T5m6d5i ZUpPAKE4nmtLOrjvALPTK/VNveIpGX/rTcTLuF1lexIgY4zYD2Z0//vff66pEquyREe2T2U/ MAMESi8ca7trWUiGzhUVNwNkGoCyfY7AuZouIAAgAZFgO1YnOygmJwHgujKewBITE6fi2gI+ iQfMDfjoHxDBzrjAgM4xkgOWCsmuKtDNZozcXrE8fXB/7A5oqs6304XYmdid7KlCWJlOffNs XGJxM4wvGyDaIdYCdXE3LBCQjXZzJdADi73S6L3Pwrn0XzLrMjFZ5yIEJnqlSbyH7P+3t39X fdxJgCydttwIC+PeYV/cRsaKtWBcQAeQAQaumaC44ldFqEH8DC4XTsOIAI9yDMuWFMkSLJfO sVxL11Vfhvn4zFKhbOvDLRTLkokUpHctgAikAAzQkqhQRmEFAffXkiIuIRDzHLKtlENZRn3z kzo0y46wPr+5y+KAGB0gzTPUZwPw3GDXG+3/S+CiTOAyoND2Yu+LX46MXw94gI5JNtuamwwB CJ3V/G2ipy8mTdcwkdPhAFWeWyiGTgt7KENiixd91aIwkZfmiPmyG1l43gXdv109iJNZU4SM 5XDfuIyyeEAlL7tl2ATOPRNXIvDaMijWSyp/0JKdBBK2jubCKbtwLfeQUBBX0zAjridWpDLf AOQ+mJjPgaCkQt5ZKV4mWO8+EgVAjkuLVQJHjJIbzN2VNAgopd8ASTGvYzA+rA5ASxLUYz0b JdNX8bRsV3TEGK762L3gcCrlzv0YMiMnb4a7xS62+mkiw/Zd17iLj2LoJjLGjpUDDYCCced6 nsvfwhSMOxtrCkHISuuj80yqdJYuAB06pbk+tk9XMfgqJ6EOE6swhE05TYr65H6uQw8dT1/p rT7zODAj90YMfKfRUXoVmZncfeYeR8IXeW6F4OLTAVOxXp4F2zMepxrvU+rzyYAsneIGEgR3 kiBlHikKdwxz4cIJdrcg5nzAp44M+AjyO182Ut2Yc7iqKuwJXCwrpRVqvwgYE1S3ZvYAoGY4 GUosCLMCYBSCm6hQF2tSQyamRzmsqRTkF/vSF/E9/Qei4m6eCYNMUN+ARtmxMMeltTMwEHNd M6sMbl7aWwdzS0G2DPaoYiy5J2vXyTm1L6eIzbgGsFB6g1nIJDNooQHj5XdPPs4TWjCexhsw MegcC8CADJDC6k0wdMDyNeMopKG5jv9NwlaY0DXJH/pqYss1JLPUQApB+A5Ipplo3V8mO/c3 iQNkMVNMX7NdlHiyjLrJM4ky39ELe/fxRFyLDPQXKCoXssIFyChL0k/9tnOKZ9boMXdQHSUb M4EfSSx5TrYCWBEGMtMk6Pyws9uxnRTIYtRiRQSIIRG4eBZA8JljvIgECAnaUz6zB+WQBdSU RFAGsxgABEoYDIZl9uKWGny01w4SZkrnu5aspHIJzA+AYVWMQrCeEvL7KR+glCm1oNzGj+4B vKxKoHzu67cmDqYkA7X2LNiidZ/JtDomz56/Yxx+c1u5p/rBPaasZl/n+Mwsq29rzCNgIZPK HQ6LyOeMxexO8fWLTDAHRuB/Lq/mb3IHDO6bfmMWJpAsxncsBsNwMIIwkLg9/idHsharNM5x 97cAuTUEz8CATEjGITuOOE6fTGQmHf1uwVcslQ4ABa2e2zM4jNk5mv6L12Ic4rTAgG4BOT/A z4oTfdOAHmMOuxbrpE9ivZJOdA+I0DvPweixM0CL9buW/uf1guRGH1w3W5yTId1zLtA1EQNU 8sXSAnrsw/1TlJ1ndR3j6r4SYCZ+E2fdeWYNiJJUA5zAjJ1gdeR76ol0rR9HvzspkMWICQ1t ltljwJQCZTfjYTw+8z9QMDAUSHzLbIzRER5DZUAGXwGr4LgZwuDL/KkVM+PIOjJss7jZVFIh VN7nSj9syeN4tJ9rwbXlCjJGQJY9yCicTCrXkOFTMrOZmRHI6oP76b9zAbUkA2VqQSiDDrzd y3NZPkUZ1cq5tuemoBRVH/QTg+jFaMTxuLAAymwN0LLWswcMW2BiBw8KzvVxHYy3Mspck2G5 11KTiZXgwTbEVbCXI/uqRU6uwfg1BiR2RC5kC0wZJMDwWZ008o5S53F9GK9xT9OXvIfUuZ6F HtJREyZ9BM7G2bEptXEdIQCNLjouWzn5jF4ZP2AC/PQXqNFRE6pn8RwJRwDK2AeQwMyBUas3 GJrPfK8P+k5HTHzRF5/bmiq64rnSyAboZJKUHadbXMMtF901XCvuMWAWcvHswP52juueHMgy WGZqbiLlYoDcMrNh3lYEMMyyAv/YmsEyAwJARu+37KOZDhgYCCBlEBmNuIUBokCC8FiTmQzb Y6BmRsF6QMMQuHWABGsBRhTE7ApQxLbE27iYGJ/zsS73YMgMHQPj6ooB6jeGRomBqnOBX2Vo 5MCdcH8/+oiFAmJgloJbyuE+Wf4kU1sVzt+MQnlLWIdr+xxjDFuoQLMFYo4FytgnN4LCeva2 6ZsxWQIy7hfwN+GYrGSCueBcp70MwD1NJmTFiIy360WP/M1gvWsBOwG8tSUeRR7km/9zjGsG TACIidM4OY7MPb8WJus6ACOuWjLOeW8D/QFoGn3k9gKfrDBxPNCh65g4NgPQ8vYr16ebrpNn bOVu/IQiNMclXuV/DNs1xMQAMnn5n4ywMfdiPyY+xwp5eKeFZ1ZOtAfMoj9sge3QP+dxpW/X 90mcBcgyMCi2gQYKBG3GBkpiaGIEQIhBAwgzu4FhGBRDvIuyAUAlC1wMrodrmPEyc8gWcvlc Q/ayNiUQAIZhhTUAH7MjIDUwgLZmGMUW1LClxYjNuhgm4MP8/AA14Mg19TdGaUbWf0uxGLV+ yd5SXgkIIKZ5VmDKONNkSk0AALg2DCznARYMgaHls3osRQa8WG0yXa2h5H/X0RgAQ068KN+7 B7BfaoLKLWiSg9iNOOWW0YSNyXTTAwwdqKa5NrkBB300MQKyXNdvrCm7BHOLAjK5BmMGCsaL HBk+2WBeCqXjinpW/2tiXWFjnoUhmyCTNHCMvtFp+iHb7XrCA2K3rulewM8YAXx6V5+rx6Yx IeEU56aA2n2Aou/cj02IB/JSNDJgC/RJ/8jA8+aVgj6nk7KYrkOH15r7YcH67llqC2NevcAt +vJsQBb6j42ZBc3+BMQdMxhmjLzqTZoXY6LMZi4DlhIJCgAQ/U/RGR8mgqEYOMaH9rYgFnma jSilgQSKgJWxGFRV/PVFuBQA2Cw1fZYtwjw0YOtHzEPNWLbpAVCSFFyh7PKBLcqEpjGAHtOx 9Y8XklQXM5s/MtLKOABV2yg8OWOt2EaPnZmdMZ2k/VN3dFQHs/1Re57gM1desmSr6Z8JRX+S vKnnAJiwF8zEeNe93MRAyQRjw2yrfIwxdy/XMIGRmfMBvklDnBVrAURALtnwMEq6ZpLFYD0v Aw+QkrNrJbMtGG8Sk13MrisYDcae3U88m2sEBOuzAmmTr8kDk2vfNt+TJZ1ACBILJcd4LcIj 7kUGmvpMOm/yXmLtno2N1SQG91KfIvetMb0V358NyDxMwEwsAPCIc5gZGRnFoQAERknQXkpI sYAAsKB02BQFoWzYlVmT8lIW9WncQoxtqekDN1WtGmXnKnLfsr107SdmVt9UTpEYUTXYMKia vcMSZbGwRsakfwy5xhQAGUOpLe5lNT5uCeCvFF48CxsFjFsNGFNszHEJaCi7DDIXWwOoS4ot 6Ny6iZTduAVgen0ysZBxL+ZXjwdi3GP3r4xQhhnzTnLBOfRErFLIIQ0om0T8YDJkqX9+6A0Q sUYXSAIe7I6hmjjFVdf0JrphYpIUWGomZ7KWLEryBnCZYOk1hh9biGvZm8SMneOyGelW31zL 8xoHsgPYAVmg43+yBWaYmecWC8WAkYOlMaen0R1sj821urulh1f9/VmBLIpAeQSSgRhGZIZD jWWjsBw7t5o9lU4I+gMw2+oANeBDEdF3sTSzFjdPsoBiMzKMbq1hQgxGH8yw7d5giYsY4Ayu gTTLiX2YZRkkJQVkFI5RODYKyq1gTLXlO8rWC6S7b52pnese3NsAWVwYTNAE4FrcBwZMWfWP ggLzKF9VOvIkt+rm+R44ijFqYjmtW+lz17eawbNVUEyGFPMis8STyASIuj55M2T36bW4lSaZ 1s1iPOKUave45mlk4Tm56tlMswb+sZh2tURiXK7hGX3PReqVv9T7tOPYPoP+67dJK1tGxa1N ZlHxtnBBlX02Cu3JRP8yDnvinK4hQym7mVhptrRSNpFxobsBUKzUChPsFtNau49xkByj/1rG 7KpBas/9zg5kATOGJ5YBiBStMi6Dys0TdBUz42oyAHECM0diTgL52A5WZiYzcGYh1zJINUvV e2gK557Z3783eIxO/K4qc6XYqU9i9JSmBp0rO8vz1n5gekn518+5N4lT1c8pv8yoOEnAEpCL 8/UaV4L8qjuQ47i7vZq99JNy9mJtOZ+hUOa2+Ux8kPGaiFzHsfoAyIDdWrbT9QAyVt024QUg a3Jr42wC7FirjOMS8FSjq6BugkycJwmA3nhtGU4MWqIHqwMeKVth/GSiXIi+txlcrLHWjdV7 VaBYA42qv2GfuQ49BoZIQEAzOsaLAXDcRMkCBAHQrzGzgNiWTG7191cCZBkUyoNBKT/gvwv6 c5mUFAhIMnjfi4thapiXOAb2xlVicGZ4Pr/YFmPiJrUB3p5QAaRBWVoz5t69mFOYSNw/SsJN abNnPYPIc8sI9pQlRZFYam2AGeiK61VjXVLuHhjmvMhmbebF9Jbqr9YYgv5ImhgnsgXyaeTG TRfoXmp57V77vYC0/pjsxAwBXhpgwtYA2VYyYc24ZFnpTptp3muQWD73GeDSz2RDAYP+ig0D k1bu3FQTVC9wzj729GftubNmmfyizyYE4Ro6jjWbYHg62CRXfQnMgDLGv0UU9srsnMedHchi fALPSiiUIfjMhoSUHAvDhGTqZEkAmllLUFIBJCqsfIGxmd3MyGZsyiJ+Y4bJzE8R/IRSV8EJ unJTWvcvbqX0/97GvayZzbXzxHkEcNvm2ZRi+J5BcMlq40IJ+otlxRh6YLRF95fiZPVelJzS 9uS2JRPnMtjezL00m6fPPbkwwMQvuYEmDEZXG3dWvZo42kWb8MBF4j76bhIW+wJidBbb13gJ frI7cK9vPAhg0msmamU9Jh8/gBaIuKe+6jN7ESNMHA27akExy5rojrXNklGJofFO2J1Yrh1k xEnpWk+P6E4yuReV81Wdd1YgIxyAg3lxxwxSFogLjPLVzeYMWrmCAU79mfoyrEyAH003S2Ni jNs1pf4NZq2jEjcRc2priQgzyzZkJdvgtetuxdnqgFCC7DKwFcvAxlJVX6/BQD2vGRi7UKTb 3oPbwmAu07i0W31NVftF7sOtTFasPZ87vtSwt57M6Uziav6WRGmBjPtKroDsIqzM+IuV1vjZ nmdPnMkkzIsA4OJMYqlxF4Gw3U+0nm74rDe5BHxM9toSQ6Yn4lvsxv3pD5ZXawwTKhCjk7U3 iSesoq8SKECOXopLc42zXrnKQV8vMrntkeWpjzkLkAXdzSgCs1mGVAOx2XAQExL7waSyZxhh MxCZFRkhACVGJtuYLXbyTsoMEME4L/UzVVBmQUYFPLkUgLE2lLsHfkvCxsg8k4LBpRYZYJa9 lr38HWeNZwtkzhHDECtLYmHpXgl4561Q9TjMb6s4VXY2xajtPWLsvRmbQWAfPcN0z0xavX6T S8tCHWciq4wFo8BYW7cfyFsK55mPtLhvxhvrqZthrl0nz4+9iOsJa+g/1pnnx3TUurnH1gTn XhIOGK0Ysf5UOQIQHkfPrXO8CZysjF0Wj7smvSIrXorfxgFYOQdzYwtZXJ7nFerRD4khzO8i TPXIGJzj2LMAmUEUQ8CyxAOUX2QVfhSCAhlIWStuZRQYsJlpE9inMOiwH4PiO9eSCFCsWEsc GK1ZCmMykInJOTfbWQOtAFn60gs4m+UAcW9QMRiMYg3IDJYZT/C1bfpVA/BYJpDOTrg53swr kJ/ixyUFAELkUOMiORbgciu2lpf0DI9hAViMWUEow6Dw5MuAxbhqQW/tn/q6LJKun9e4Ye95 FKMmtuRYbEEogSHWJv6mpCV1enuMI0XIYooYTLZ32nOuY4y74mctE58wSJqlaHRiD4g5h046 HxBx4Sq79PeSW0efA+xtFjRb/9AxYAdsxchsUGpSyHrRqpf6odxJOZQxY3thmICSDayV6OyV 3zmPOzmQGQAGKIhPcMoOWkaAGQE5g8FNFNyXwqYABoBgMTAGnjVlKLtBEScQHJfZJOSq4CmQ BXQEL6ZmnVgNQlubJ8iZWYwi1FqlCJuym7387inmGoOLsSaY3w6g0hJ1ZpprA+skPdpjgQUg W3OhGL5nrUHxXCelFWvrH5fiRRRYfJIMU+HvOr1SjdpvLA5bWuozwM6uCu3zpiQksgHSWH0L ZORGNoBsr3uZ6n39x+T2uk2ub1KTfMj7I4Qwah0dIDAh7wEx+o118h4wLgBL19hJXZ611D/6 3cskB2C5m5nEo4uKk5WzVBfSd+4N/EwMwjfi1VhdgAww0yu2tzUZnhOotq59ciBzQzO2AeU+ BsQiUDODTJfYh4yJXSsAiyC8TI+YGB/fj0ElUApC+c2Gjgd8DMUAVOoNvLiQjE58AKAmEJqF wpIFlg6FETlGPVvbKJsF63Yt6LEO18A6lhoQSH1Re4xtWlpgsfpAIqQ1BHVcAsqAe6kxqJ6b 5ngGUxcV966BfRqnpexvXaa0BWKei/ulzm/JqAWfTRDAwBjmOMxLrWHbjL+xb59RsbQYYi3F aM+tfTBpxX2jj1uJEtdyDEChl4LjmgmzysokpH9Z0L5mdK7nOemxvhkfsiDXnrwAUvpMtqry 3UspxVILGLbPJ0FCLz0Lubt21hK7FoIBzNgakgBo2U82Au1l6rcA5qq+PwuQeWAuJdbSul/c AbMakGNAAEVwVCKAAMXLGDpAMrOIO3BNw8K4OkBQ83eNnTACA6RUQ+2ZPnBdtdRj+ZvbGyAT NE5cjRujXguwyZ5yczCaHpD1SjXqoAHgXoqdsqf/9XifAavKHn2PLZpJk+3tKTuX2rOaQNrG rdiKA+0x6D0KqbTFJGWlQ68lWB5A4MLoMyP2nSB6Yl61TwLT9oEDXGkxcJ+tlWK08bsAmM/3 sCf3I3vgqzkfe8r4kz0dAwh7r+fYhCwqq1MfKdgP4H3PdvwtWJ+XTGcNaOKirZzJNEyvPnuO B/x0yvpn92i9kSRg9CVLstiUMcLagPbt2E4OZATGPeAO8LmTIo8gMSlpd4BGCTTgJQtpCQ4G 4twUgwIaoCbgq66qBoLFLGpwX/yL8LlalEBsJ0BWq6atLBB/AJTVxRGvCMPTbwa0tNrf7JU6 pKrAMUBB356rJz5Xt8AOyAJ1LLK33ErQP7vP9pSI0nGVK5ABTLMqQCWjvA/h1ErovrLHZnLj BjjzTL17GaNkOfUtstM/E4f/MRTgm5c0m1wwvApkqYdK0L/d8C/6lpdFpy+YDOZOT7bWDhpL hi0Wm+azLMj32yTD9d4LYo4DTL3GJTcBb008S/cC7nQ4azTpsIkhx0cmWV2jKqDX6A4b0k+T kx9j1dPnU+vTRa93ciBLR1SUS/3KiCSGQZAUEgPjRsrWASkzFAADWnx0DCi7IMikALq6dXTA ot3CJq4HxTIzZY1mTU3rn0Ant9Yi2gpkdUEydqYtuWXZ+rhHt82yNZtaB8eMluUxLROyLhD7 bGdJgK2/wKzXuD5tUoKhZiuYLeVYYydiUNx8y8F6DYvEcOtSqzWj9nxZklSP85ldTIAL+TFA jJb8sWPV/LUlRsntFa7gbvViZVkdkFUUWD95Kb9Yc7ldi+Fmh+Pcu9ZWcXmt2dwLYrlGYl8A S788i0nVRGTyNwEfvaZri50BHQkizbO37q7ruif9tCFl3W2kPiMQYz8SVtHHrRDFlp6d8/uz ApnMIjcC06gNgFjeIoCLnRCumZ0P76fHcJzfDu5SwBg4UjizNNe0BTLX4pYaqMQTfCbukcro xL8wKEbalnWIk9SMVX0+rm3PzWMc2AvFoLyum+P0g8EC7F7yAfMwKWyVUqQfZJVFxFsKRLHr ts/1eC64MeLS9OJwmCkmhYEKQC8ZYNzKGo90PBeNbAExlt42Bs7Y2vWY9T7k7fyeoUUG7o/1 upeJBNvrleq4fyYY8hZT7TVsxzbpR1oYkcyvBrSxJxOORelks8XGevdzXXphAqA7kU1KOtoJ 0/cme2xSQi36ZlIil8RcjTfdyLrjI8961ceeBcgICpioQMa8sJAYYFxPAjSTMpI6k/aCsEvG seQaYEmUVjO7cc3apuSCi1uDtokpcEsTTAUu2F1vA0MlCRWkozBmu15tlecQaFUgnBofrixl BoyUeClozw1QmsJ9O3UD+Iy7t9SJGyZmiREqUu4Zf978bunQGphhCjUGyNDoiQLYJcZHTlsx PMvPrBzB3tuWAD+5cl8ZJrdp67qA2SQc3ZSBdw/XAa50l8t7hDnlWsAx+4elDAJYZ1ugPMPa c9f7ekb2xbUE+HQfGNXF3m0//S8bruwnq1RMBjVTmo1Qt+LBp9bHi1zvLECWjigzEBOT4cte XflOoSdXiaHUnQj2KgYAMPhm4WyNnWtXgAOiKHfLnuouoK3gLFjPmjdUHbD1gMwMSmEoTvrt fyxlqdV+MCwgmZjREkNwLf0VdDYBXOQ1X2vKgbFuLUURbBeIVjbTa0IC4mSyvG3MqMYNw6wY HrlhAz32mnuslUgYF9cGBsp88jrAqkMZN8eJQTFW7ii593TNcVZD2D9PDNe62lTQA0H9NqHU jQ33Gl4YmVIiHoF7kYffPBIhhDbZAUSAnmPiMdDNCnL0KLqTdZWyoomVrdkUXTchW2ZVa8tc 32QuRriVqd77/Oc87mxARngEqbRCPRUgq8yLyyeYTpHXtlRZenhBY3EqCuBatdShxtMkDcw4 3IC6CJZC+r91WSiFFQW1pQq/7QsFwDBqnMy2zWuGWa+Rgsi9AwzwADigOGUDFnvWZCqREbdS v9Vrnt2yMzGzNl6l31ZrpAEUoE9P1gB86TmNnXHJ/nHYk7GI25bzUrbiPnGhAKAJqmU8/ufi C2/obxI/ZOO5TSDWOvIi8lZ6+iOeZPLM5p8SV+4BhLBOjFbSKBsWuE5l3hXIuHuJnbm/8ElW Xugb3abT6sG4t1hY9JMtcFOTecTIjO2S5xJgVfmvnzWZ4juTgJg2b2Bvzd0p9fLItc4GZOkE 91LtC/bSbr1i9tlyG5YeJoFsTKJd3lOLKp2fSv4aqAVkKQas96AoMYYMtMxXjJBhUFxKWius 8xwSFnuXeBxdDoLNybhmLd+egc6OpmvHmlAYSy82l/PIgrxkgTHspW2PuV+AgEHWWjnuZ2V9 ieG5vokscSvGWEHQOHG5AAeDzUacxpKRBxAYLT1ogawXc8rSnwqgGT8THkaWQLfzBcXF73gP QMLESXctd3NerhOdiitWnwMLE+f0LO2k4X8y1SyIr839a/iDfuqLH+dw5ZNoYRMYGQZlRQfm thWgTxhIEiaF6Lm/QD/buaiN7tHPUx1zViAjJNk/1eHiK2aqrLekkBhN3RfqyENlQXI1COdn qU69FiAyi9XF0UvrMg1cWxPk/6yfo1hRRL8V1GZNoRk5L7Oo98+LKfZmEdfkwHXDMPe6l+6Z 198tXZdxMLA1IHNuwEz8yG6/vT3WHMdNIS9xpIxvm3VMXwAocFYkChy5c3Wtor8BovHi4nEL yZuhtvFEW/7IfNa1qT23ygQE+FIvmL4AWrFAQJAkUACTkYuJcb/C4v3moupf9rfXX2Pju+ww 7PoSEpiPUo4euwEWngvDTPjB89KduijfJOr5uLyAW6JFvzTXxawCpIl5tuy41YMkC9TK5UU4 jqE3da3wnu2yjtjwKY89K5Clo7YKMSMLvAsu8r0lAQj66A4EdbZI3KMqNMBqg74C9taQ5ZVc SwLkViqBaDODXEf9NCO3QWkzdDJmjKwXa6IQFNIsLi6U2EhiL62x+Z5hMNa2cd8kL9oXlCw9 U1uF3jsOgC0lGXpKL4MpsC9OtLR5onACViOmZpyFAnrNJBOmvrTsxnmJHWHEltukQLVeE8hw V5e2ycmxkg6YSrv3l34av1pzCBySHccKjU1qs8g2tVYBktyDG9luY5RlP0o/WqYVMOGSBsiM SW9cMiGmHq0yvLp0zrP4bouVZZIifxOl0Eqv1q31dE4JRJe91tmBzAARpDWOMj/ALHuL2Sr5 yFuQPWxobgLqvWxMr6KZ0fX2v6oCZABiAm3LDgM9o8XCKJtzbUfdm7X0mUtGERKodVxegtob RDOhOrteoNVMLPa4h80ytt4be+o9Gf/RzJT4DDBRwFlLWOp1xVwUX5JRb/G8YyPvvUkeshRv 7QGZZxXPMXGlLQWq3a/9zsTSluS0Y+P+4mTALaBXEziYo2v33meQfsnSGvtWV+rLabYMm77l 5S7cVjWbbUiDzu8t1wmY6Rs9FoOrTNDKEwmf27WdHcgiIIu/uSJ+DKLdLtYWMq8JLLsXUJi2 ZICi9Xz6bJ3d2xss96JovR06sTz1Xz1jDGgyihQitn2nHOKEW5Xk9TznYIg9Q+RWMNrKZpeC 9UDEM3OBlhqAPhJwT+yQW4OxyED3gAh7xWKA5FLckFyONtnwhArquWTQgmoFtXps3qKUz/Qf W7Z6hNu81NzDXmAaV5AbWSdITKs3KdArGWdN39Wo9TLAwMJYZTyTgACckgZKNyR7yACz02/k QF0mF5282VreAL/lVrbP6XoAUvwNq8b+xARlpE3oeyeco2N62eOvBMgCZthXW4ZxkQcw2yVb 1Z5vhu8J3ODLNq29icisQ+HqYNWAf7vBn3ubtbiBzmvXSaZvSkCOgDblE7SmQL1ZGijUPq4F Y3sv5OjJTP97S1B67wHIeLovFxcLUvwcsBJ8BsLGO/FFnwmyp44LQGPqa28n6ulGAMeaQW6Q XUToA3D3XdYipo+ur+rfErc6Kdh4IMvg6n2EFgCRa3KvMH8hCXKUFFGqYlKTUfTsYn8MH8CI BQMhK1OSPPHMnl2/xF/joaglxOzoTuoITQrin73lZFn3GH1sZWOi9tMDpqM25h6eoy34vV1B zPNdGZBFsY4Kden4JbdKmrul0xl8vv8akNVXxLX3XSp5oPSJ9fXcSoHYFBwGcLYUIsruFXo9 IMsLVCNTz0uJxa0wXoaTOjnPzACXmnuJ59iGxgzMTdJnbhMG0K7KqNeJXC34xyQci9mRA8Zh dQSA9OOdokok9JX7Jrjv+Y4stq73xprEWtWPARaxNitGXLvKl56I0QIRrMWxJohsGtBOWkCk boduSVOKlU1Gni3BfNemM+6J1QJGDaCtyTvxsCMLsKPvddJK33vgtqVjW3ZYr3nZa23d6xTf XymQnaLDrmEwq6uSYKbP0OqlxtgodS+mY3asL+ttrxFAaAPwXEAskAFzTVq3AiXP4vhccy+g cd2sQMhuEc73rFySdjEw4DCzMyLMwwwuxiaTt7VjKUW1a4VnUcCc9Y3iUGERa4bJneIiAhX9 BZzcKLHQGATgASKC0frp76Wi1C09cU1utZgr2WNLSQa0Rpf7G/s2xtMz0BYUAO6ellrIJcbU 69ee6+495hxgc45r7n2eo8ddSyDDGLgM2dlVEJ0vb8Zc2pvKoNhfnUG1r1XDElD9pS2lnSvW IuOqRiqZIW6DPctSQS0TCyiTHcUYsqMoF9Q9sDcMDSNYi1+4p+sKmKthU+cDaLCcJeZoATP3 N69j43YdYTwYkmsAQqxjb4lHFF69lZ+0ljG02eTLGEoAo04SS9fL53snkMv0Kyx5ryH2GNbe c/ce14YeWrA98ryXqSk7cp+9z5bjrh2QEQYDe8ADHjBn48QjxC3sRSbT0ot7VKHYh0mQFHvg PplxVaOLYawJ2nfWOaqLszSK64aliWXlPDETn6nFMeCYSermxPTUKGkAWJZJYHmNLbkupiEz 6Ke23gwPWAWB145bY1b6zLVKjOao4lUDOTcDOQoYR47fY6xHZeP+W9ftfX/kPlvXrx5BHas9 YJpjlBiJC8rwZjukJNhcU8kJGxRj9Dm3G4FgN3vucxTAri2QRSGl/5UhCLBjSFzKrQwNQQMO WTaFk9qeGpsqXPdZc1/b4HoUhuuZF3xgTA960INmN3BredaR2fOI0vcU5sj5S+zmyDWqYR0B miVlvywQVLCJUbomhhrGL95nIq21anueOX1j/HRW8a8Qh5hmdpfgnpuU1XNx6XkatfB7j5Gb MJVPmGhNrBbUS0QAF9eVweYVACOTuIlYSMS9eDOJxfWeyXpaGyIgAo5zDfFGui1RlL0AJXkQ DHbJcxJXtGLBPXgVF3371drzXztGloeJgdclKXsUKsdUANtz3h5DW7tOdmpNFrDu37WloHv6 tzUb77lGrx9b1+25LVvP0wLYKQBNP8Qn6yJxBodd7nn2PAcg8L4I5QsysdkjzvcYbxZoi6dm w8ckgnr3yXUVwwoTWM0CzAT6MXvAKI6q3IFOAjeTm/gmw8eweQxbz+E+GL+Ej5CCFSZCE8Im WdfKtVcS41j39Qz6ApT1hacgYdPuuOt45R9WJWBY+iu+qVDcdwqq6TXgUrsG5MRmhWH0QQJJ Qkm9Jc9HeMSi/JSP7NWXOxLI9gDL2oMfUe7L3sv5gIzCV0O77AC2IEJhBN4pJ4NA6f0NNLOt UZ0I1u5fr60MIQZgRscmGLyZmEuPPTAYs23usyXfXN8rAGWSGQi3XAlMm3ncklOYuKwrsMAI GLM+2LFjrfQl/TAuSipkV2W+jRejw7CV7Sj34C5xqbKdOmPNfv69tznl2pYnMXRGLROsHlHt F2CxbElMFQBIgAAsx3r/qs+VmCgtAWYSUj1ddB/HStQIf3iFolindb9YF5BUIoIVAS2AjAly 99SeeVaJGQBmhxXuYY11uqfPABHwskrH9awwMeb0C9BlKyEAJWxC/8SIrUYRl8YIbVSpT3ZC lmXOOG2N8db315aRbT3YZb+PEprls7h9yzjX7sk4xcwqkG2xnT0uFDdFgaalUtyQKD3jpWBW VGRNIEOkrLJ3a254+sWVePCDHzwDi7gfgwYS/hdf5E6k4NYMLxmiSFQyI67XmswkRwCjc7Af AMKQzOR7t49OX70DQlM6wZ0hawvXU0PWe96ci8UADGxEDNUyobyRy3pMxsoYLRJn/JZbyZha BO77JHEwlTyva8twc/MAgAy0tcaeVRII+1FDhnVJ5jB8cVu6JmEDKIwXIAXuaroknCSXesAM yNwTy6ILinRNKoq0TTzZkpzrapJzXaAKfAAbwJf5BoJAmzuNOeV5sCxAREZZmI61Yo7kAOic 67qy7IDXmNiqy2dc3IRluNCuZ82uSVKS6TK2ZdwHkHXQInERcSxb1lBky6mOvLOwvWy704WB q0p/lCkBEAYoZqHI2Cxn00bZTTSeUQG5VMEDNTOoWdvOCYyvLf6NYcuwqrkSWxFnAb7KHSg8 xWdY2BPjt1TK95STu2DXX8pJeSn2EoCYICzbytpb8RYzuT6RtQJWz7FHwcVm3FeyBwvAeCzm xxSxkLxboY5JnhXQM3yGjF1yn2RCAYJ76xdmhjUyYK4hYDA5AOJkkZWqYEFZvcHdkiEH+EDV 82bMXQ+D4YqRJyDTB9c1OZAzQzeumJPnwdDEVH2PxbZyJQPsBrPSl7Boz475iScbE0CsgJlb bHE//TAR0m3sTMzL356NPLJFELfXM+kLPdIvsS/ghsVyh8nSBAD0bUSQZVgmJQBtHzfXweQx fPcx2ZggyXbPWC9N7gPIFiRDqQCDmYmREDoDO1VzfcpGAbgnlMiAmyWXBjTGB0CsxTS7YzAA xzWAGKPhTsZlYwzcTcbD0ANAzlM7lpZrc80oXJZlUcZUpmfHCMwBYAAKiotx6AvWwD1j7FiF 5yOz3mvSMBnXNlMzENc2YYglARJuIlBZY47pu2dnpK7petwf48bQUmFfl57lWT3/Ax/4wFkO AAf71Ocs1na+vzFdDEPmmMvlf+wR62GQ3ERj4Pi8c8AEAPAdy7U0OWTNq//dD8j4W9+yaaOs IPcLY3M/rAqrcy/9tHZVxl6ZT9vcW5DdvcT2yM94AxuMF4AYI9e2+B6LE3gXJjDewIfc/U2m NmfEJDV9xcAkCoAhvVIITX/prZ+8CBq7BLhkA9SAJeaGFQJwuuO5FHsDPxl8tZF1g9KjdjaA bEFijMyAZuEsukyJLrrejDHXBAPFcE0GwV2g0Ci9rW96jfFRfkyFkik4xRYYFuZIuczkZlfu hPgN8OXOCF5zc7gxjInhADqrAeoaTEqOqfkceGELwAH7w1C4gcDQPRmN364NzLAphiFWJO5j pQBlJjMG1bI/wMNV8j32AcgZsUlDnEc/GB7ZbIGZfpKN4ljPjkUYt7VdXAE2WQA9RsjYMRWu E1AROE+xs5gQI+UyZ3dZBgxMGDZWSV7J+GHx9Ae7IRexL/fg9mflg/P8DeyMkxUEWBWm5N4Y PADDSo2r2kGysR2WScy1Ma2avMJCHYslOwYoAy19U7eofyYNrFwszoQDRLA9wX4sCzhxr4GW GJvz8j4HiTX7C2LSZO3Z6CuQxAZdv664EbM1MdFFOsJLcJ4wBT0mE+zO5GsS8ab2i7YBZAuS I1zuWoAsayrXSi+WAMjnXIv6MmGfMQQGklUKS8W8DFm8xCzLSBkJAMSMuERYnM8oBqCl4GY9 SsW9o/TAjutn1sPYPFtdTI5BZdcD13A9hsal8r5JSssQ9ZUb6Rizt2OAqs9kyjwP9wY7cX/P zVgYRwWkLPMBlN4c5H9GCNgAPJeNYWKOQHENzPTBs3BRgJNJAgAomWh3oXAdkwZ5eGbAr8/i VYxc/AoYOs4k4LlNEnV/MQBgEuG6kwlQBxzAQQyK684NxDiAgc9MHOQi7sjAMR0GLnmgpf5P P/SLa2dScK5JBKMRSuCCug6wy9bezgeA4pJAV5+wLMkBAE22AKpt9In+cA3piHEUqvCs9Nzv vJrPxINhkY1xwcgwR/1yj95byFOKZLKge5ikydyz033s0fMDMN5P4tG15GivuzmAbAHIKHIq 9h1CSVDjIy0uDMNiyO1bn+qOE67fW0Cda3CBxFQYCHChZHHrLICmwBQWmxB85ToAXy6OWRSo iEdQLjV0DCUvTzYbU3QBZgoKOGSUsDWGTdmcE1fYcRSSwXC9whQpLBaGrVBsgEnRzbrAqm4Y 4Fwgxqj1mYvDdcoLZDEf7IPxYm6C60vN+SYeMz1m4Hn0IVuZ133w9Q+AcNv0AeACJBMEVzmB a0C6tG2NcXAvMs/OEHmzurgTZuV7LnJWoXDb9MOYGYe6K0c1XOPGsDEwDBmwARzhBPpD9gAT cIutGSeNLhkvrNv9xbIcZ+wqS6rAQLe4/vrq2clBiCChBMBlfE1+JkaTmJAIncCgPR/2nmV5 S6Djeli6GCIbMgnTB/cKWOs/kMw7X10zbzjfY3MDyDpSimKh/WZUjWGsbfzXXoaScMn4/lwW Ga+1BiiW1h7agYGBUHKxGCxDPAwIyAwJzPuMksnahe1QQAZq9qZ0mA7lwDQYQF5q683glAvz AgI+NxMDFkAoeExh1T7lXYmeJUulGBsXE6BhgFwNwCzt73hBb66EWT7ZTCwD+HD/GHliWdn1 Q9wJGwI04lOC1c5fm6HJm0uEQbk2uTP8FJXqs+A/o8WAxAIBLXYFpAE4Voot1HKV1vhTRoEJ 12Y8xJVMEpgeVuh5TGSYGNamDKGXNGqfC1gAJcAL9ICnMQPwGI1JgNsYIHO+iUsG0CRnEjDe /k9Io71H9ByzM0YmGrIzjmKNxgxDw/SBmjimvpiY6BOQxM4UmK+13AeDF5rwPyDOChKsM1uB G2M6KnxypFh9ANnKCNTyCLPc0p5aS2UUlE2Kea2ZkTAZ1LpdrhSXEiU3SzMI7in2wvi5h9wY sy/QyWxWd/L0WUBOWQNDoLBxZfwvfgW0GWJeHJLslVID8areGso8N4AFZEod4nIBQAyTogML MTrulRS/ZmamyK7BUACoWBLQFi/CrCgyRsPlMaFwdx3TGiS5AF9Gr78MAxAALG6a5w+7NiZc Lv+HIQFx/TA5mFDWgs4tqHmWGGoA0WdAH7AAM0CKkfvsSOab0ZOH8c/e+VgZFqWPxg5jAigY E3lzj7mV4lrAwESWjGlvsvUZ2YsN6ifZmRA8kzGMy+h/Ews3nO7oD51x7J4XkzjfswMsAEvf TRzuKTvqB7glYZLkzHAt9/DRjWP2CtFlGCqFScGhc8Ww1hrwEZ9YWxYilsMF4lpgYwwOOwQE lI6Si0Ex8BhVvafjKf3S0ioAIagtQIzZCbRzMXyGRTC+gFhvRs+9MK9kxBwPEMVyGIggMmbi OfI2d8qPOZj5MQKzMNcCcDFEjFBZh2fGLrA72TBGwFWpfWEMwNDnDIub5zdwY+x5AQmgYyCe CcvE2nyHHWKt+gPU9o57jgugi71haYLy9MBEg4lz58l3bZuoVk9c2zgDE+MAqPTNOGN8sn3k A/TDVE0MXGKMyuTGlTOWAHZpspUNFfMzZlgXcMcmXdskYFy1vOQE0Ajac0e54SbUI5tyYnz0 hPcBgI2/38YQ8GOeJqy9YxC5DUZ2ScCjIILcFJUCGVgDRQFTU8R9YlyyWYknAC9xnyUQSy0b BiHGRWHdB6X36jssiQLKCPZYSh6rVYgEzXN9QIGpuSa3gVICIX+b7fNugC3F8j3AxBil3MX0 GAPjwCKwKm42GWEJZOP4vOOAuytDxkA9m+cUVwHYZCQwzCi5O9hNLQplBEBQQDkv5gBOJhfn x7UMe3AuBsBIGW42P8R0L9ryyjiunOuLhQFrbAcr435nX7oj98CuUy4h5ojVkI3MIcAna0BG RnQE6JGB8TVxAA5MCujoU17GbNwxUGzW8QBKWMI4cI9loJ2bcApWawzch/vueYyfZ1vbdbl9 Vn1nD1ixqgC6Ru7cVvq8tS37kuwGkD1UMkuz1ZbCOU9mTEwlL5pgLNm91udcRyBntqQk9eW9 WXe5BBJcPTMlGs9lwmwAopnWjOjelOpIq/fCcsyMrmNm5s65JxBgKOn3FojV+5utycUsCwwx oiyR8hxcYaAWl0hMCoPJG+exM2DPCDEwIMRYJQEwPH0WLFcyUEEZ2wGcmAujwwA9m2vIqGJ6 Znr3xsqAK6aCpQEYAK5/F2lxLY11sqdibkDCczJ249SWoOy5FyA2GdAVOmaS9DpA1zJWeZNV 1lQCemDK7QNsXGzg4xomWXIDtMIBgByI0Flghw2RA9BTNmEZUWyDKy684doJdQA7z3nk7WD6 ABCFDQAwRkxXTDpcY7/b/fv2yOnGA5mB4sZQCrOnmQkz2FrUnQHm65tJ0hhS3jtpNk28ymy6 J5ZQBy0xMUqM5qdsguHIXFKqnju5Z+Adg+FQUAqMzVBcsTHgAzDbFxVvXVe/KKFYovovRsNd 4KaSA2aJCWjkx/XyjNwvLqi+mKEZCDdXNlY/BJwxNwDmWiaDmgV1XwYl2YFhYS3GD0sSxE7g XrzOJMCwZRwd41jnMqA9LylekoFzU35BnoDCs0k2YDYXfZValoQxfDJTjkIWgNo4ASuNbol9 AhvgbGkQZus8CQHPaiz8DRDFuYyVhAjXF+B6BllxkwUgBL4Bac9GB7nl3HgTqXEAhvXlK1s6 ArRMKK4ldmqCAZ6u4X5IQOr/tq5Vv78xQFZZV41tMDpZOxksyoB6m1lbIGv3ySdEDICR1cZY 2+UW7s3lOjLgrkkhk1Ln/qH8FJdyihXJMl6mMXAxK6l0fWTUYjzYCiXdAvOle5t1zfCpAsd8 uJMMKCxU/AdjwwQZq2yi4DZXGqsTG1RoCpiUhmS7GwmFZEYBO/fceGI93CButufCfoEephYX n8GIyWBeSisAAlbgXKUAtdzmiFzDDI2XOBbQyhpScUzFnkeZc+7v2chHjBTIuK7spwQRnQRC AMhxasy4iZgrdu35yBi74rKTh3HxGzMme8cneeTaYofkwH2vLTsgY7uypsYUmwrr1Ic9no1+ GiOTMP0Cis6rpS5HPID08UYAWSvgKB4hMBDp5LAlhtzbIwzAJdaS62EwteCS0SQr1xoCY6F0 W+/WrOdRFKDCEAWmlUCY6fUDo+i9RfuIAVJ8QMGF5HowGNlHxoitXfSdo2Z5YE5RzbopowDA DIABkjf3FWMBboLUMm5hZRSdi2uiwKIwAowLc8R6VaczTkZLJvou7uX6fjMQLivWkho0Y2DG J0/G5DfQNSYA7aLAHYap7+5FpiYuTNN1sSAAfbQxaOwRC/L8xotc1ZUBEBNDdvHlWgIk32fd J5DiVvtfTMpEIYuOjQF78SgARCYYHB03YYpNahVQAGKy6tirMXBPE4Nny1u9tkBIbA2b03fg nJUySjhM9PoUJnhEXnc8kAEdBiJeJZPDmGR9GICmJKC+XQdlr3VHESZFSDbFNQ1mfZEJw3Hd pe2ygWPvVXNrg8UYzH4GmKKIHRlofeeqXQbIkk7n3nkudJ7rkbdQkcFSucmWggEIoA7AzPwY AXAkA/VhSbFjGFgUUPNMmGH20vKZ+BZgwg6AuOsaP0yMYalKV5vE+PSdu4JdY8qMzP2Mvfsz crLzP0ADCgxK5hjrBYyKZFMkvPWM7fcAAQsUkxLrcX9uMldKP45k9nJtekYOZCiOh0GJJbo2 d9U9TUCpt/K/pAddBy6AiTud3Sckm/wNzOgVmalDBC6eXUhkaRsmugaYxTSzizC3kG4K2u/V FW68yRnYmywxMfFQ186qk6Oyd/wdD2QeUszC7J9GsVRFo94KLWtrixzznWPzRnGfcXHyNmZA oAgU3V+akSjZ0RiM2Bu2qLyC2yJ7Rfm4r5Tp6PXqczISwECJuFqeBQC4vuBtXj92EaUCssDK PRgSQHNtrouxYHjZv0ygGYhas8c4GVWAzr0xGoZn/BwHJLDo1DqZhBQLi6flxSbcYqAvsO85 Ep/SH/9jt3QAuJKrZMJFs2VhLmSpfxiKPgIwBk6/gCNmmP5tsZYqc6BNdgydHD235zdhGifA qXlGx4nv+pwe8xaUlZA3kBAzk50G6gA9oJZtiOJa9/oHUOm367pnYpv+Jsu9kyo7cg52jSFy c40LNmwc8tLho3p37YGsdRtr/Ct/UyqBTcLTzHAMCRsz+AbIwIg/1WLSun4sWUnnc28qMAIa 2cUjCjrPIg/tw1rzbNiC2BiDxiy4CvrCfcvOBEcHPccz3iwody0BdIaOAQGWo8mJXJccMT2l AOrSBJKzMaNgf54bQyZv9zE+GK4ZOhm/rAKQUOFeciEBeJSe64mBJcOGYXErsUmzPtYlQ5ZC YYANFLlIXEr64FwAS0cwtcs07JJr55pJIjHwbC9NDkfjcAAI8AAQoI2V+dt1jB/3WTNueT+E OjAMTvbRscZBvBHAAkafmTAAh78xW9+TsZIMbnqry3EjyS41gPrDLRcLzcuHl+RHHsZCxhMr B/gYrFUbcU2B9EW387nWQFZBzAyD6tbP8rcB5jIFyAyADBgfXVBZzMH5aHZN/TKMNLMpZRFv yCZ+vpMlukh9EEURCI6R9RSAIWMW3CizsNmMwQmcM4rLNPdP/Y5At2A7ABHPMaNzS4CBLOaR RkZAzEyrYUdkb9bWf8DFGBzHbZQhYyTWPzIkzIVLxpWOm+75GZiYGEU3RurbTEhkYSLyG/sR GuDuYF0+Y8RAlBEDQmUcWJhreD7Pqn/GguG7bo2hHnl2zyGmJ+aYOjksMxX2rs9dPtKwcOfT WZMnPfRcxg4LzTs03ZtbSaYYlucEGPSLO4jRYYwSJeSB+Rhvzy0eyfVlJ871IwZWwYw3Auiz t5lQi8nPpAfM8uat9tlig+5jwncvNmMyFp4ByOzHWPr7yIus672uJZBFOIzZomKDnQW1Yh2M ENPAXrLQu6a/zZCUgHuJMWgGUXYsvr5BTGrb9xSBYmBHcekEYQHi1nsje4rr+mYowfCl5jkw RYbqngyQImZbHAYvSH6RRoYUx3NRJDELzwdw/C39zmiONNfEEhiImR8YMSxyxCDtiZb97cnM vbg/ACZv32GgjMIsn0ZWAsBmb9cEZsaOS8+A/QBcz8Kw1FLpg+fzHGFaSRhwn10rWzvTHwW8 zgXC2VJ6z7PXiVMfMVmTTerYsA6sTD/cgysPzLfYu+sKwgNG/c81gLrr0Gs6kdo3x5MpGbtX tm1KQWveBSAkohZNcbW4o5Ijkw3gsjxL2Qv5YU7tG8mMi8nIPdlBylyMaVzL1kPKRpBcXOUh xiD7z2FgxpnXgWRssbq18bh2QBZBKZcg8LoYG7tSlkDRDSQjShNMFh9IMwsHBKo7mk0A3QdT AYgagXO90syK4mI9EKuDuaawYYhLDEAdV7J+4iMGmhKJ7ZjpzdCe4aIMgvJSJrMhJcb6gIvP ze7kla1itgwvcgFkXBuMiMwZHqbMGMmwviwm2UNGkJdyADIg2O404v5cSePOFZJ5A7xASAbS pACAGTJD4a7QA88H/PLyZf0BJtgelqDOzNIiIQZbCGHcgGhpyZfnbI018UR91idrIekXdocd ulfeco5VAols39PKNdfmniqz4C0ANPqc3XexZm5hZOsa9NZSLrJ3L2PIFoyDTGomX+AEsLnw AN0kaZkafcbU6BW5yVxKGqSI1xjRPfIxAQAkWXtkAlgaF+46lzXXNUlx77N4X1/0WwgBCaAT dIS7DAyx5r161oLaJpAtxaD2zFanPkZfzApKHLgiaQzC8gpGgF1QXgyrZiOTpcw5YgMtja2A 5jh+/FIz2yfD08rIOZSPAftZagZQMBxg9lrcIwAqm+f5DH42yIui9Lb/Wbpn+upZGT7WKlZF OfXFc3GdGQYllQlknFstYCqeReEx5RRvymAyZtlFPxX0TDbYglmZS5OkSC8Lps+AG4PgLgEt jMXzO894YRzcUyDFMF2/uu+AGZNlcK7jOVNISx8Aetg8ltcbW/3H6iUZ3IecJGC4xmKZZKZv JghsM6DDRaQP3D5ghMG1O6pw8ZTWOAfouD6Qx46di+HoF3B2ndp4HWQPtB2fl4hY81vHnd5i tICbHchYAh8sy8SJPembsUQOUoxLTnQOSCeu6B6Kmbnw9DKZWn0wOfB8jAtXFojrH5dUxtIk IrTgumKdl2mrQJaHF6D1QyGh7kVR8zId1RcKYzM3sa00xkipxSUMskCvmR8F5m5SBq2Cmv8F hdeagbUsaKmZMRXOUvzUwjjWYPrO+RVsfddmxsRnxH4ofdtSQyQLlU0KE5gXzyIL7hFXM1tP u8bS2FRFdpz//ZjFudeYmAkAm+EOmRgYkB0KzPCRV+/6uXa2LDKbM0iGh0kwEIqMCWQf/pzD DaLwAMDsnW149KO3/xv52goHGwBa7gmQsNQwAywj+4PVHXD13XMaM6UIQCZJFH8HKDBfIAVQ gDgdo1sMznMZX2Oir/53XZNrXjKiJgoAmUzFONlOGBgmA1iNu0JZscQwVjFZrAvgASvy9x0A wK6ACmYkJoXZ1pdDG9OsGdVvLrL+uT9mXfdz01+MDRC6NnmazDCngCdwMwn4DqDpNxDLvmRs C6vzW9mMcSEjAMbWTCywwvP4HrNLvZ4JBpgCTGDPnvX9MriyycjU6SiWIxA+roDlRdaMXRbE 1FQxXEKpjaCBmAY4sgg5hrp03yzebr93nu/MEJRxqSVYXd3XeixG0gKc2EjL8qor27sXhWYY jASrpMjYhPuqgWJUlE4NG8VdYhBAE6UHKtnDn0EzeEpOuciSwZE1IwOigEBMRZBasDibFNa+ cuuAnWeRCdY/cRwAY+al0EAnGcMorOPdC5ADPIzIRMQtxBZ6zbmOAbRcNNf3PIwIKOQFHtlX H8gnm5frYXDcKXEiDJ4MHGe86Lux575izJiLcgFuHgMVl3O+Z9JfLj9GAjwdj21YmSDeaky4 Z34ArvEybgDDPUwcZAewgBt2k51KAIT7YbLYjkwtGedlLfrdGj59NcZiV/QTyzYZ6GtbquNc ngCg8WzceXpmEsOi3IcdYIZiadxYIGUcfY65cUM9s+uzS/rn3hhp9qQz0ZKX5zYpGG+TZ7Li XNXLgphxXQQyBuEh0L/QfC4OtM9mbpcBp73nhokRHNcnDZia4QlKI1wCTKOUdRfO9n6UaclQ KJBBcr8kCcx+XAdAIC63VgCYPdbr9T1HXjXGUAGCiSE7YPRmI58xTqUd+sJYzNBmZ7M3AxBH YwBcNkaVV3gxbmyDoVBObMcsnc3xzLJcOgzXeCZWxHAAEQAzW5IhF1dMg4Izas+CRYml5O07 gE+8SuDduSYUxqFUhdJ6zvYlswwJszJWKTjGDLYauegDgACOgApjNG76pA+SPiYBsgNyaYkn 6Rdg4f5iYABcVk3sTR8AHZl4Fm4aICcbMSg64bmxEOMA3ATNPa8G4Ohl3E/1UiYicnUfAApk 8m5QoClup6+AxaRDVnTQsUCe/mVdJGDpvdAF4/f8ZGEScry+k+3SWk/9FNPTVxlQExrgBMh0 FKCFGfs/a2Y9N1bJ85DMMSkaY+CMuWGP2HyyyM6lE+oiyRcTNwEYq8swsYxrF8goiSClSt/W YAX1KP5SgPlITG0rKJ7vMa0KYjrPfcHQ0rhddRmIGWxtR9fsjtozGgrrnmZFwEXYEguYH7eV slFcvw0ooIgSux7jSHauPiMlMzO3bWsgPaf7cXfEhMxijMfYYBCUnuF6oQZjZAD6CfCAF0AD voCTYjEiCo5dMwqMxCxpIhDDAFIUz3WBgXtQPAYKADB0iQFrPT2fGZfBp0ZMokAYwjnZ06r3 YgnHm82dbzy5uOTovr3VFVVuATPGwIiAGDaTkhEuLMPOM7XnAmexQGyWgSW2qiyDm6kfeYOW CdwYAA+TGb0iI30gP6yEvFOD6HPjI6MNbIE11xOgAj9uNrDCcAGjz008SUYBIhMTN86EDSDo t/sbX62nM/qOlZm8uNDOyTKz3o4SkaExJQt6K4ZoUtI3LMpElowkxmbcgRsgN24AWEmFMacn kYF+Cw8oiaF7KdHARDHwxI63dH9rUlsEshgeWgyd20bwZmrB57blXIFIs0hNy7bsJP+blVJp XR8q16IE9bVlBtMMUrfXFadg5K2yVhBuK4/3VCLHjfIcqTimGNnRMvejPEDNoKLXjJ+iMhCA YRbGZMU+KCfXw/33DKJj3J+rlsJdrp7ZkHIyKiyCvGTJ3EcGyn0BBUWk2LJwlApIuLfZOokD z4GZMVyGYjyAQLZccV+sRUwFIJmtHUs/XB/LY4zYmrHRF5MBgGcMrtnL7hpLE4WAM5AlP0wC e8zi8jVFJhsGwY0BGlxvwO1e4jeurQxjyYgxQfFGEwMjxjqxD+d4ZuOlL+RB7zE044oJh/Fi hJgouUpWZEwDEtx1QMfl41aRqXHAnrEZ42CcsFOBcuQBWGRLIBOYhkGbGJZAzP08MzYFvOkZ QAYuvJmaLW7thLwAJ+Zs8iMvE64JnBeR9Zz0yufYKiAXJjHmQN+zmSCNPXs08Yu38ZR4DTyL TO5Lz7AXtHrHdRkZf5di9BoFh7AtkAV4CBx7ouTiC/Xty66X4wTSKRFFMHtjGmaRatxADu2u gXrCTuYrymKw61Y6vX5n36Z8h4XsbYwlOyjUc7gLQMzMY9CBB9lRnix/MZAMhNwouxowA7r0 xqRenzwnpRQUJS+xJ0aIonNHXI8RAM64fEABgIqhYSnkq3954Ya/sbAoKWXmCvgNKM22GB4D A5aeX4yEAZvpzbxmceDGLTF27g2QAJNZ23n0iNH2QNvsL+6jjymG1Gf32vt+BNd1fSCD9eSV d2JoAJe+GYsluWLu3EbjZhLIVk5cdM8qdsV15RYm+O9zIMSAuUomEuy0nZyin57T5AYMxaPo Cr1xfGJtQJ+tyLhiZvpskjCB5lVuWwBAdhJfGBWGaDJRWpLY6dLEGQaJmQFq+qJfWHadgByH 7WP/Wnb73WtHW/0/cp322P8DZAGZvAlm6cLta81yntk41Ne5wMzgpOW4bEkSv51LSCmy64Tj GD5QrIttKSbmEIEE/d23dYF9V5cAtW8wMhOmGLb3nBgGpdIS5GawGIbPxQ8pN1ZDgTwnuu2e AqvcnWyHA7QBAoMAqEsB+bWBpEQAkYKbFQW1MTD/Mz4zMQDJa+ywZs8A7LAbCg4sAKgZVeA1 +6ZVeTJqrEayAsCQf+rKhBuAFTfL+QDepJYXeeTFs/QDYIfFLsX/AKM+OJZrJ5Zj4nJeTZRs KXjADPOgSww4GycCEc+8ZsTGwz39YE8AyySV7F/eeYCtJYSAYTBkskzB7dJz6r/nob9ZrE13 gE22205lPJaKHdKlWrqzl70D5lT7V7ltnR/QJbs6ybbn5TjX7k3uuefW/bbG9Oj3/4+RGbw2 M9heNEt3apwMC2v3MILqbVPEafaswUdMJVs+u2b2CEPZ0yhOdqyMMCmCuJXZTUAVE0qjGJSO AvWE3u5E0YKLAc1aP66kNDXZpGqdkZtRxYuAGxcE+Ka8ABv1TIzAtbkPgN3MzWAvMtDOofj6 Ami4m+7BtfPj3pRYUN4P5oSBYV6CxoBDNpDbRJbtSzYqgwAAgFKdD1DE9sRBnGvCEXrIzp4y WRi62CnwNEGk7GHtOcnFZCV2SH5kJeaU7bWPKrNzgShAldpPX7dkne/1x3P70ReTJkDDXrFu +uDZAX3eALTXcOs9gNTeXTa2+t7KqN7nouduyf3odbeud4rv7wYyg8j4KSggoRQUk8sGoOoC 4poFcp6BZiBtZiQxthq0b4v4eg/BdRIDSmOsZu3UsFU3VrwBSGAGFcgEFxk1Y6Z87eyRNYQV wDwHoAISXCTMi7uF4gMGzAwrEW8iKzEDgAYoMrtyiRSuUvQsn+k940WVwXlmbc/G/cEIsscT AzabyhxxJfVVUoM7YEyxN/GKvEFpjUFUlpJNIY07wJHtdC1ABrzFZtynFp7ueT7HmAwUk/o5 wiB6BqzP+nHRxfQVBIB8fSXcqcZwj1xOYdhXdZ9T9PUU1/g/jMzsS1HFPrJBoMpvCpzN1ty0 DZRLtda96NOxurBZbIDbsNUAJqZRm5mRcoYxAEzAwgW2pbJAZq94VZDbsdgEZlJbAExSwnHZ E8l1xD+AnwA3t0ptVDatA4Aov+yeuNUavT6V8i/NuhhCrYgGvPqTTCZXFuiZ/QFsBe0tRa9G DRyS5d3zJqCta/cAK307cu6SXLZ0bOv7y/Rh69rj+/NIYAayGrsSGMwK/epqVCDLzgbONTtz o3otr5LCFMSM9mSisIi6plEmSgws/QR0QEx5BONcW3TNleJacjHbje0Ats9kk4CwoLdUfFYN CMyKmWBVmA+2sbSD6K1S/Ao25JOs0JpMjva1Pb4X3zt6zXMB/HlMZFz1OkjgbkbGDRToFDRu i9TafakCUB5QqrcNpOfBMTzxpexaAFTET8Qvlt68ImNTv5NyTqxKIJeLyZ3URy7g2htXGDRG ws0Td1EJniYILgAPKF1L1giwqcjGtDCPnmtxCqM9tWJcZZ+u8l6nltO43p0rgbvMsLJs0uSy YlymrVk4wCY+UrOUrZiUBACzLAcS13E8V09sJ60un5ANrC3xnCz5yBIkLmV9YUF7b6AphqW2 RyICIOZluIL2WcwrgC32BWxl/Y4Gce9c1RhPNiRwfSQwMzIBa6CjrqvX6rpELljeCKPOiFsm 2C2u1MbJAF5AD1BknVa7DCW1Q+JZKXlIP2TXxHzqFjyYVPuSj7YSXJ2YLJ6YFybnR5U10ARY WB5wc50wvtxzsI7ro8Cjp0MCJDADGRaiNqmtt0k8RDwpTaA/7pxSCixLUaMsWd6z2IpWAFqZ Qt4uI8tWm+pgDCop/vpdjZf5HGi6b164AHTUVLUFr2Jy2CBgxDIVjqqWlhhoFxG77gCvYRBD AtdXAncxYDU/dclP+zh1HaHj/XDXsnDU8b2sZa6jxisb1SmlaDN9sobZtkWWtLqdtS/iXLZf EdNyvHo3hZ4yj/W1bEARy5NckC2VcTxXkPr6Dv3o+ZDAnSOBmZElO9ljJcCgMjKAAIiUXOQ9 i64BWHpNYoBLt1bNnpd7AijBfCCpij7NomeMTgmGwk7LQoCfui/sKlsdq20S+wLM6qXaMpHB uu4cxR1PMiRQJXB31nLJyDGoyshUNXPjFJxarKsBot57+/IOSXVXAcue+BVrZo92bma26wVQ 1s75DFBaPyeWZ9uQum2Lmi+MslcIOcBrKPyQwJ0vgc2NFSUCamGrMg2LWC0wzVowQCce1TZZ ULGq2gBjy87ExmQrFZ9qXEFZVAF6NWhqvQTk1ZipMncNFfjqvNR41ZdFDOC685V2POGQQCuB TSCzSLjWdWFOmJKge1rWR9aLK31QIqFVcHF+u+20YxKAB1Rq2QCj0gjX4S4qbrXzg2Jc6yst 0m7rvAaIDQUfEriZEtgEst5LZFXWA5fqLrYsS+GrYtMWXLLouoobs5IxtS+UtZ5KObAsi35l RGU5ua/3ve99543tahvgdTMVdzz1kECVwCaQteJSr9W+kNbuD3UhuaxhfVtOvYa9oyQAUoJh DZ9Ymz3T88osrqMYHJBSR4aBHd3SZAzzkMCQwM2RwCaQtYzMdi0C/rUpfahvCLKQ2TE9tgTk 1HNlX3g7UspSqtwXj7PAOe8EFGOrxaqDfd0cxRxPOiRwRAKbQIYZ1WYjvHbbYhlEC5YVn4p1 ealo2+J6up6VARahq9BX8Ko2TLW/rKPrtzssDAA7MqTj2CGBmyeB1bcoiUvVl37Y1yq7flZR cQ+BmcXgttypWxsHwNSj2RsM87Lkicvo5Rf29ra42xbW1jymDfC6eco4nnhI4KISWGVkwMcL HNKAVV40WgEHWHkpBYZlB1QtAGb9JPdRFT53UqGqOjDV/rZLdv36pu0BYBcdynHekMDNlcAq kGU9Y8STeq0WbPwvdlZfSILN2eJHDZg9y1TqAzIFrpiXl1PUfc0GgN1cJRxPPiRwWQmsApl4 Vna+sNwn20P3blpLMWw97f2X9pa3PtL++GrDbIct/oXZDRfyskM3zh8SGBKIBFaBTMV+9uG3 3tH2N70WN9Lx9htTSqHWTPbS9jvqyWzauPZ2ljEkQwJDAkMCF5XAKpBZP5nlSdzA1tWssTBx MCBmO2jZRy/AUDohC6nuLDteDBfyokM1zhsSGBJYksAikAEcMTGvbrPu0WvbtQpEmBgWppBV Rb7aMa9D55JiYd7ClOTAALChhEMCQwLnksBmsN/LQoFSLY0IEwNYyi1kIgGY/cmwOG8izjst B4Cda+jGdYcEhgR2xcgSwM8rxwJKmBgQ8/Yku1uo7LettEJYVftpA8SGog0JDAlchQQ2K/vb TReBmDow6x8tN1L86gW2mFvdfvoqOj/uMSQwJDAkQAKbQNbGxfyvCt8uFvYPsyOFiv/ecUPE QwJDAkMCVyGBXUDWdsRLRu55z3vObyDKPmLDjbyK4Rr3GBIYEuhJ4DCQASyvUfMzWNhQqiGB IYHbQQKHgSzgJVY2WNjtMISjD0MCQwIXArLBxIbiDAkMCdxOErgwkN1ODzH6MiQwJHCzJTCA 7GaP/3j6IYE7QgIDyO6IYRwPMSRwsyUwgOxmj/94+iGBO0ICA8juiGEcDzEkcLMlMIDsZo// ePohgTtCAnfd7373u8cd8STjIYYEhgRurAT+F2Icpx8GUI8LAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC
for goods falling within Classes 10 (cushions; pillows; mattresses; air cushions and beds for medical purposes), 20 (mattresses; air beds; beds; duckboards, not of metal; loose covers; bedding) and 24 (bed blankets; pillow shams; bed linen; eiderdowns [down coverlets]; cambric covers; mattress covers; sleeping bags), under the Nice Agreement concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purpose of the Registration of Marks of 15 June 1957, as revised.
6 On 21 April 1998, Hukla Germany SA (‘Hukla’), the proprietor of a word mark consisting of the word ‘Matratzen’, registered in Spain for the products falling within Class 20 (‘the earlier mark’), filed a notice of opposition at the Opposition Division of OHIM pursuant to Article 42 of Regulation No 40/94.
7 By decision of 22 September 1999, the Opposition Division rejected the opposition in respect of the categories of goods in Class 10 and upheld it in respect of the categories of goods in Classes 20 and 24. Both Matratzen and Hukla appealed against that decision.
8 By the contested decision, the Second Board of Appeal of OHIM dismissed the appeal brought by Matratzen and allowed that brought by Hukla. In essence, the Board of Appeal considered that, in Spain, the two trade marks at issue would be seen as being similar and that some of the products covered by the two trade marks were identical and others highly similar. On the basis of that analysis, the Board of Appeal took the view that there was a likelihood of confusion, within the meaning of Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94, in respect of all the products covered by the application.
The procedure before the Court of First Instance and the contested judgment
9 On 9 January 2001, Matratzen brought an action before the Court of First Instance for annulment of the contested decision for infringement of Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94 and breach of the principle of the free movement of goods.
10 With regard to the alleged infringement of Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94, the Court, pointing out that the perception in the mind of the average consumer of the goods or services in question plays a decisive role in the global assessment of the likelihood of confusion, stated, in paragraph 27 of the contested judgment, that the point of view of the public in the Member State in which the earlier mark is registered, namely Spain, must be taken into consideration.
11 It held, first, in paragraph 30 of the contested judgment, that two marks are similar when, from the point of view of the relevant public, they are at least partially identical as regards one or more relevant aspects, inter alia the visual, aural and conceptual aspects. The Court found that, in the present case, the word ‘Matratzen’ was both the earlier trade mark and one of the signs of which the trade mark applied for consisted and, therefore, that it must be held that the earlier mark was identical, from a visual and aural point of view, to one of the signs making up the trade mark applied for. However, that finding was not in itself a sufficient basis for holding that the two trade marks in question, each considered as a whole, were similar.
12 The Court stated, in paragraph 32 of the contested judgment, that the assessment of the similarity between two marks must be based on the overall impression created by them, in light, in particular, of their distinctive and dominant components. It added, in paragraph 34 of the contested judgment, that that approach does not amount to taking into consideration only one component of a complex trade mark and comparing it with another mark, but, on the contrary, it entails examining the marks in question, each considered as a whole. However, it pointed out in the same paragraph that that does not mean that the overall impression created in the mind of the relevant public by a complex trade mark may not, in certain circumstances, be dominated by one or more of its components.
13 Next, in accordance with the criteria relevant to the case, the Court examined the components of the trade mark applied for, namely the words ‘Matratzen’, ‘Concord’ and ‘markt’, and also the figurative sign of each in relation to the others. It considered, in paragraph 43 of the contested judgment, that the words ‘Matratzen’ and ‘Concord’ could be considered to be the most important components. However, according to the Court, the word ‘Matratzen’, which is characterised by a preponderance of consonants with hard pronunciation and bears no resemblance to any Spanish word, appeared more likely than the word ‘Concord’ to be kept in mind by the relevant public. It concluded that the word ‘Matratzen’ was the dominant element of the trade mark applied for. It therefore held, in paragraph 44 of the contested judgment, that, from the point of view of the relevant public, there existed a visual and aural similarity between the two trade marks.
14 Finally, it held, in paragraph 48 of the contested decision, that, considered cumulatively, the degree of similarity between the trade marks in question and the degree of similarity between the goods covered by them was sufficiently high and that the Board of Appeal was therefore entitled to hold that there was a likelihood of confusion between the trade marks in question.
15 In paragraph 49 of the contested judgment, it held that that conclusion was not invalidated by Matratzen’s arguments based on Article 12(b) of Regulation No 40/94. It considered that, even if that provision could have a bearing on the registration procedure, that bearing would be limited, as regards assessment of the likelihood of confusion, to precluding a descriptive sign from forming part of a complex trade mark as a distinctive and dominant element within the overall impression created by that mark. In this case, the word ‘Matratzen’ was not descriptive, from the point of view of the relevant public, of the goods covered by the trade mark applied for.
16 As regards the alleged infringement of the principle of the free movement of goods, the Court held, in paragraph 54 of the contested judgment, that registration, as a national trade mark, of a sign which, in the language of another Member State, is descriptive of the goods or services concerned does not constitute a barrier to the free movement of goods. In paragraph 58 of the contested judgment, it pointed out that, according to the case-law of the Court of Justice, Article 30 EC allows derogations from the principle of the free movement of goods arising from the exercise of the rights conferred by a national trade mark only to the extent to which such derogations are justified in order to safeguard the rights which constitute the specific subject-matter of the industrial property concerned. The right attributed to a trade-mark proprietor of preventing any use of the trade mark which is likely to impair the guarantee of origin so understood is part of the specific subject-matter of the trade-mark rights.
17 The Court pointed out, in paragraph 57 of the contested judgment, that under Article 106(1), Regulation No 40/94 does not affect the right existing under the laws of the Member States to bring claims for infringement of earlier rights in relation to the use of the later Community trade mark. It pointed out that if, in a specific case, there exists a likelihood of confusion between an earlier national trade mark and a sign for which an application for registration as a Community trade mark has been made, the use of that sign may be prohibited by the national court in infringement proceedings.
18 The Court therefore dismissed the application.
The appeal
19 Matratzen claims that the Court should set aside the contested judgment and reject the opposition lodged on 21 April 1998 by Hukla. It also seeks an order for costs against OHIM.
20 OHIM contends that the appeal should be dismissed and seeks an order for costs against Matratzen.
21 Under Article 119 of the Rules of Procedure, where the appeal is clearly unfounded, the Court may at any time, acting on a report from the Judge‑Rapporteur and after hearing the Advocate General, by reasoned order dismiss the appeal.
The first plea
Arguments of the parties
22 By its first plea, Matratzen claims that the Court of First Instance, in interpreting the notion of similarity referred to in Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94, did not fulfil the requirement of the case-law of the Court of Justice to appreciate globally the likelihood of confusion on the part of the public taking into account all factors relevant to the circumstances of the case. Neither the figurative element nor any of the verbal elements should be overlooked in a proper analysis and appreciation of the trade mark applied for.
23 In its assessment of the factual circumstances fundamental to the evaluation of the likelihood of confusion, the Court erred in law by holding that the word ‘Matratzen’ constituted the dominant element of the trade mark applied for. According to Matratzen, it should have held that the word ‘Concord’ predominated. The correct assumption is that, in the trade mark applied for, the element ‘Matratzen’, which is a foreign-sounding word for the Spanish consumer, is of secondary importance, whereas the term ‘Concord’, which originates from the Romance language area with which he is familiar, remains, at least more clearly and easily, fixed in his memory.
24 It is clear from the total lack of information on the use of the trade mark, on its possible importance, on evidence that its distinctive nature may have increased, on the extent to which it is known on the market, and also of other similar information, that it can only be assumed that the distinctiveness is just barely adequate and therefore rather weak. Applying by analogy the principles of the limitation of the effects of a mark, as set out inter alia in Article 12(b) of Regulation No 40/94, the word mark ‘Matratzen’, which is not very distinctive, cannot successfully be relied on as against a word and figurative trade mark with a strong distinctive nature. For that reason, too, registration of the trade mark applied for in the register of Community trade marks held by OHIM should not be refused.
25 OHIM contends that the plea seeks to challenge findings and assessments of fact, which cannot, as a rule, be subject to review by the Court on appeal. It also maintains that the Court of First Instance referred to the relevant case-law, particularly as regards the methodological procedure by which the two trade marks are to be compared.
Findings of the Court
26 Under Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94, upon opposition by the proprietor of an earlier trade mark, the trade mark applied for is not to be registered if because of its identity with or similarity to the earlier trade mark and the identity or similarity of the goods or services covered by the two trade marks there exists a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public in the territory in which the earlier trade mark is protected. The likelihood of confusion includes the likelihood of association with the earlier trade mark.
27 The very terms in which that provision is couched therefore preclude its application if there is no likelihood of confusion on the part of the public (see, regarding the identical provision in Article 4(1)(b) of First Council Directive 89/104/EEC of 21 December 1988 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks (OJ 1989 L 40, p. 1), Case C-39/97 Canon [1998] ECR I-5507, paragraph 18, and Case C-425/98 Marca Mode [2000] ECR I-4861, paragraph 34).
28 Likelihood of confusion on the part of the public must be assessed globally, taking into account all the factors relevant to the circumstances of the case (see to this effect Case C-251/95 SABEL [1997] ECR I-6191, paragraph 22; Case C-342/97 Lloyd Schuhfabrik Meyer [1999] ECR I-3819, paragraph 18, and Marca Mode, cited above, paragraph 40).
29 In addition, the global assessment of the likelihood of confusion must, as regards the visual, aural or conceptual similarity of the marks in question, be based on the overall impression created by them, bearing in mind, in particular, their distinctive and dominant components. The perception of the marks in the mind of the average consumer of the goods or services in question plays a decisive role in the global assessment of the likelihood of confusion. The average consumer normally perceives the mark as a whole, and does not proceed to analyse its various details (see to this effect SABEL, paragraph 23, and Lloyd Schuhfabrik Meyer, paragraph 25).
30 In the present case, in deciding whether, from the point of view of that consumer, there was visual and aural similarity between the two trade marks, the Court did not err in law in its interpretation of Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation No 40/94.
31 In that regard, the claim that the Court, by considering separately the elements of the trade mark applied for, failed to assess globally the likelihood of confusion, taking into account all the factors relevant to the circumstances of the case, is unfounded.
32 The Court rightly pointed out, in paragraph 34 of the contested judgment, that the assessment of the similarity between two marks does not amount to taking into consideration only one component of a complex trade mark and comparing it with another mark. On the contrary, such a comparison must be made by examining the marks in question, each considered as a whole. It also held that that does not mean that the overall impression created in the mind of the relevant public by a complex trade mark may not, in certain circumstances, be dominated by one or more of its components.
33 Furthermore, as is clear from paragraphs 38 to 48 of the contested judgment, the Court, in order to decide whether the two trade marks are similar from the point of view of the relevant public, devoted a significant part of its reasoning to an appreciation of their distinctive and dominant elements and of the likelihood of confusion on the part of the public, a likelihood which it appreciated globally, taking into account all the factors relevant to the circumstances of the case.
34 Moreover, by maintaining that the Court, in a misinterpretation of the facts in the case, held that the word ‘Matratzen’ constitutes the dominant element of the trade mark applied for, Matratzen is in fact merely challenging the Court’s appraisal of the facts without, however, alleging any distortion of the evidence before the Court. That appraisal does not constitute a point of law which is subject, as such, to review by the Court of Justice on appeal (Case C-104/00 P DKV v OHIM [2002] ECR I-7561, paragraph 22; orders of 5 February 2004 in Case C-326/01 P Telefon & Buch v OHIM [2004] ECR I-0000, paragraph 35, and Case C-150/02 P Streamserve v OHIM [2004] ECR I-0000, paragraph 30).
35 It should also be noted, with regard to Matratzen’s argument relating to Article 12(b) of Regulation No 40/94, that that provision concerns the limitation of the effects of the Community trade mark itself by providing that the right conferred by its registration does not entitle the proprietor to prohibit a third party from using, under certain circumstances, in the course of trade, indications concerning the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, the time of production of the goods or of rendering of the service, or other characteristics of them, that is to say descriptive indications. It does not concern the status of an earlier trade mark, within the meaning of Article 8(2) of Regulation No 40/94. The Court did not therefore err in law by holding that the argument relating to Article 12(b) of Regulation No 40/94 was irrelevant.
36 Therefore, these grounds are not vitiated by any error of law.
37 Consequently, the first plea must be rejected as manifestly unfounded.
The second plea
Arguments of the parties
38 Matratzen claims that the Court erred in law by finding, in paragraph 54 of the contested judgment, that it in no way appears that the principle of the free movement of goods prohibits a Member State from registering, as a national trade mark, a sign which, in the language of another Member State, is descriptive of the goods or services concerned. In the present case, the opposition lodged against the trade mark applied for on the ground that it is similar to the earlier trade mark registered in Spain, an earlier trade mark which, in Germany, is descriptive of the relevant products, constitutes an unlawful exercise of the rights recognised by the law of a Member State on intellectual property under the second sentence of Article 30 EC.
39 OHIM contends that in opposition proceedings it is not possible either to challenge an earlier national trade mark or to question its validity. It considers that the corollary of the coexistence of the legal system of Community trade marks and the national legal systems is, in particular, that the eligibility of a mark for protection is to be assessed according to the same legal criteria, but that the outcome of the examination may vary from one country to another because it is the point of view of the relevant public in each country which matters. Therefore, it is quite conceivable for a trade mark to be registered in a Member State although it is descriptive in a language other than the language of that State.
Findings of the Court
40 According to settled case-law, in the context of the application of the principle of the free movement of goods, the EC Treaty does not affect the existence of rights recognised by the legislation of a Member State in matters of intellectual property, but only restricts, depending on the circumstances, the exercise of those rights (Case 119/75 Terrapin [1976] ECR 1039, paragraph 5, and Case 58/80 Dansk Supermarked [1981] ECR 181, paragraph 11).
41 Article 30 EC allows derogations from the fundamental principle of the free movement of goods between Member States only to the extent to which such derogations are justified in order to safeguard the rights which constitute the specific subject-matter of the industrial property concerned. In that context, the essential function of the trade mark is to guarantee to the consumer or end user the identity of the trade-marked product’s origin by enabling him to distinguish it without any risk of confusion from products of different origin. Therefore, the right attributed to a trade-mark proprietor of preventing any use of the trade mark which is likely to impair the guarantee of origin so understood is therefore part of the specific subject-matter of the trade-mark rights, the protection of which may justify derogations from the principle of the free movement of goods (Joined Cases C-427/93, C-429/93 and C-436/93 Bristol-Myers Squibb and Others [1996] ECR I-3457, paragraph 48, and Case C-143/00 Boehringer Ingelheim and Others [2002] ECR I-3759, paragraphs 12 and 13).
42 Consequently, by holding, in paragraphs 54 and 56 of the contested decision, that the principle of the free movement of goods does not prohibit either a Member State from registering, as a national trade mark, a sign which, in the language of another Member State, is descriptive of the goods or services concerned, or the proprietor of such a trade mark from opposing, where there is a likelihood of confusion between that national trade mark and a Community trade mark applied for, registration of the latter, the Court of First Instance was not mistaken as to the objectives of the propositions in paragraphs 40 and 41 of this order, and accordingly interpreted them correctly.
43 The second plea must therefore be rejected as clearly unfounded.
44 It is apparent from the foregoing that the appeal is clearly unfounded and must therefore be dismissed.
Costs
45 Under Article 69(2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Court of Justice, applicable to appeals by virtue of Article 118, the unsuccessful party is to be ordered to pay the costs if they have been asked for in the successful party’s pleadings. Since OHIM has applied for costs and the appellant has been unsuccessful, the latter must be ordered to pay the costs.
On those grounds,
THE COURT (Fourth Chamber)
hereby orders:
1. The appeal is dismissed.
2. The appellant shall bear the costs.
Luxembourg, 28 April 2004.
R. Grass
J.N. Cunha Rodrigues
Registrar
President of the Fourth Chamber
1 – Language of the case: German. Top
Full & Egal Universal Law Academy