OPPOSITION No B 2 705 500

Medion Ag, Am Zehnthof 77, 45307 Essen, Germany (opponent), represented by Becker & Müller, Turmstr. 22, 40878 Ratingen, Germany (professional representative)

a g a i n s t

Outlife.Com Aps, Flæsketorvet 26, 1711  Købenahvn V, Denmark (applicant).

On 22/03/2017, the Opposition Division takes the following

DECISION:

1.        Opposition No B 2 705 500 is partially upheld, namely for the following contested goods and services:

Class 9:         Application software for social networking services via internet.

Class 38: Providing on-line chat rooms for social networking; On-line communication services; Transfer of information and data via online services and the Internet

2.        European Union trade mark application No 15 101 025 is rejected for all the above mentioned goods and services. It may proceed for the remaining services.

3.        Each party bears its own costs.

REASONS:

The opponent filed an opposition against all the goods and services of European Union trade mark application No 15 101 025. The opposition is based on European Union trade mark registration No 4 585 295. The opponent invoked Article 8(1)(b) EUTMR.

LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION – ARTICLE 8(1)(b) EUTMR

A likelihood of confusion exists if there is a risk that the public might believe that the goods or services in question, under the assumption that they bear the marks in question, come from the same undertaking or, as the case may be, from economically linked undertakings. Whether a likelihood of confusion exists depends on the appreciation in a global assessment of several factors, which are interdependent. These factors include the similarity of the signs, the similarity of the goods and services, the distinctiveness of the earlier mark, the distinctive and dominant elements of the conflicting signs and the relevant public.

1. The goods and services

The goods and services on which the opposition is based are the following:

Class 7:         Tin openers (electric); electric generators; electric hammers; electric motors (not for land vehicles); fruit presses (electric) for household purposes; electromechanical apparatus for preparing beverages; electric hand drills; glue guns, electric; electric food processors; knives (electric); blenders, electric, for household purposes; electromechanical food preparation machines; machines and apparatus for polishing (electric); fruit presses, electric; machines and apparatus for cleaning (electric) for household purposes; electric beaters; electric shears; whisks, electric for household purposes; electric shoe polishers; machines and apparatus (electric) for carpet shampooing; food processors (electric); grinders/crushers (electric) for household purposes; coffee grinders (other than hand operated); mills for household purposes (other than hand-operated); knife grinders; vacuum cleaners; bags for use in vacuum cleaners; vacuum cleaner attachments for disseminating perfumes and disinfectants; washing machines; bread cutting machines.

Class 8:         Flat irons (non-electric); non-electrical tin openers; egg slicers (non-electric); irons (non-electric hand tools); depilation appliances (electric and non-electric); hand implements for hair curling (non-electric); Depilation appliances, electric and non-electric; Hair clippers, electric and non-electric; cheese slicers (non-electric); manicure sets, electric; manicure sets; nail files, electric; fingernail polishers (electric or non-electric); nail clippers (electric or non-electric); pizza cutters (non-electric); razor cases; razors, electric and non-electric beard-clipping machines; gimlets (hand tools); milling cutters (hand tools); hand implements for hair curling (non-electric); hand tools (hand-operated).

Class 9:         Magnetic encoders; magnetic data carriers; optical data media; data-processing apparatus; optical character readers; writing and/or reading implements (data processing); magnetic data carriers; mouse (data processing equipment); optical data carriers; disc exchangers (for computers); scanners [data processing equipment]; memories for data processing installations, processors (central processing units); compact discs (read-only memory); compact discs (audio-video); computers; recorded computer programs; computer software [recorded]; games programs for computers; computer operating programs (recorded); computer peripheral devices; computer programs (downloadable); computer keyboards; printers for use with computers; wrist rests for use with computers; interfaces [for computers]; laptops (computers); floppy disc drives; monitors for computers; monitors (computer hardware), navigation apparatus (computer programs) for vehicles (onboard computers); notebooks (computers); computer peripheral devices; computer programs; computer software (recorded); computer game programs; keyboards for computers; make-up removing appliances, electric; grids for electric accumulators, chargers for electric accumulators, plates for electric accumulators, electric accumulators; alarm bells, electric; connection boxes (electricity), display apparatus (electric); electronic display panels; batteries, electric; flat irons, electric; theft prevention installations, electric; electric wires; electrodynamic apparatus for the remote control of railway points; electric cables; electric capacitors; electromagnetic coils; electronic publications [downloadable]; electronic pens [visual display units]; discharge tubes, electric, other than for lighting; anti-interference devices (electricity); batteries, electric, for vehicles; electrodynamic signal remote control apparatus; photocopiers (photographic, electrostatic, thermic); inductance coils (electricity); electric devices for attracting and killing insects; wire connectors (electricity); door bells (electric); chargers for electric batteries; hair-curlers, electrically heated; welding apparatus, electric; soldering irons, electric; solenoid valves (electromagnetic switches); measuring devices, electric; electrically heated hair curlers; locks (electric); transmitters of electronic signals; electronic security tags for goods; socks, electrically heated; electronic pens (visual display units); buzzers electric; electronic pocket translators; electronic organisers; electric door bells; door openers, electric; door closers, electric; monitoring apparatus, electric; compact discs (audio-video); receivers (audio and video); tone arms for record players; head cleaning tapes [recording]; tone arms for record players; sound recording apparatus; tape-recorders; sound locating instruments; sound carriers; sound transmitting apparatus; sound amplifiers; sound-reproducing apparatus; amusement apparatus adapted for use with television receivers; temperature indicators; video telephones; loudspeaker boxes; letter scales; compact disc players; television apparatus; telephone apparatus; motion picture cameras; film cutting apparatus; radiotelephony sets; signalling bells; altimeters; cassette players; compasses; headphones; laser pointers (luminous pointers); microphones; mobile telephones; modems; navigational instruments; lenses (optics); mouse pads (mouse mats); plotters; projection apparatus; projection screens; slide projectors, radios; smartcards (cards with integrated circuits); video games adapted for use with television receivers only; walkie talkies; video cameras; video recorders; safety helmets for sports; none of the aforesaid goods being or featuring educational and/or entertainment content intended for general circulation; the aforementioned goods exclusive of board game programs for computers, computer board games and video board games for use with television receivers only, electronic board games, video board games for a connection to a television, board games software, cards/discs/tapes/wires/circuits for bearing or bearing board games and/or games software and/or arcade board games, board gaming machines including slot machines.

Class 10:         Electric acupuncture apparatus; electrodes for medical use; electrocardiographs; belts, electric, for medical purposes; heating cushions, electric, for medical purposes; thermoelectric compresses (surgery), thermal compresses (electric) for surgical purposes; electrical dental apparatus; aerosol dispensers for medical purposes; sphygmomanometers; hot air apparatus (therapeutic); lamps for medical purposes; massage apparatus.

Class 11:         Electric heaters for baby bottles; electric lights for Christmas trees; pressure cookers (autoclaves), electric; electrically heated carpets; discharge tubes, electric, for lighting; sockets for electric lights; baby bottle warmers (electric); electric deep fryers; footmuffs, electrically heated; footwarmers (electric or non-electric); electric light bulbs; filaments for electric lamps; heating filaments (electric); electric heating apparatus; yoghurt-makers, electric; coffee filters, electric; electric coffee percolators; electric coffee percolators; cooking utensils (electric); sockets for electric lamps; filaments for electric lamps; electric lamps; electric discharge tubes for lighting; electric fans for personal use;radiators, electric; electric pressure cookers; electrically heated carpets; waffle irons, electric; electric laundry dryers; kettles (electric); flashlights (torches); ice machines and apparatus; bicycle lights; freezers, refrigerators; air-conditioning apparatus; refrigerating containers; microwave apparatus (cooking apparatus), warming plates; stoves; torches.

Class 16:         Paper tapes and cards for the recording of computer programs; inking ribbons for computer printers; paper tapes and cards for the recording of computer programs; paper tapes and cards for recording computer programs; credit card printing apparatus, non-electric; pencil sharpeners (electric or non electric); pencil sharpeners (electric or non-electric); electrocardiograph paper; typewriters (electric or non-electric); pointers (non-electronic); non of the aforesaid goods being or featuring educational and/or entertainment content intended for general circulation.

Class 28:         Stationary exercise bicycles; body-building apparatus; discuses for sports; kites; skating boots with skates attached; remote controlled vehicles; model vehicles (miniature); badminton sets; paragliders; appliances for gymnastics; dumb-bells; inline skates; machines for physical exercises; skateboards; tables for indoor football.

Class 42:         Computer programming; conversion of data or documents from physical to electronic media; hiring out data-processing equipment; recovery of computer data; updating of computer software; computer consultancy; copying of computer programs; updating of computer software; computer software design; rental of computer software; consultancy in the field of computers; recovery of computer data; installation of computer programs, maintenance of computer software; computer systems design; systems analysis; design of computer systems; computer software design; design of computer systems; installation of computer programs; conversion of computer programmes and data (other than physical alteration); copying of computer programs; computer software rental; maintenance of computer software; recovery of computer data; conversion of data or documents from physical to electronic media; design and maintenance of websites for third parties.

The contested goods and services are the following:

Class 9:         Application software for social networking services via internet.

Class 38:        Providing on-line chat rooms for social networking; On-line communication services; Transfer of information and data via online services and the Internet.

Class 45:         On-line social networking services; Dating services provided through social networking; Online social networking services accessible by means of downloadable mobile applications.

The relevant factors relating to the comparison of the goods or services include, inter alia, the nature and purpose of the goods or services, the distribution channels, the sales outlets, the producers, the method of use and whether they are in competition with each other or complementary to each other.

Contested goods in Class 9

The contested Application software for social networking services via internet is included in the broad category of the opponent’s computer programs. Therefore, they are identical.

Contested services in Class 38

The contested Providing on-line chat rooms for social networking; On-line communication services; Transfer of information and data via online services and the Internet are similar to the opponent’s installation of computer programs, maintenance of computer software in class 42 as they have the same purpose. They can coincide in producer and distribution channels. Furthermore they are complementary.

Contested services in Class 45

The contested On-line social networking services; Dating services provided through social networking; Online social networking services accessible by means of downloadable mobile applications, being online dating and networking services have a different nature, purpose and methods of use compared to all the goods and services of the opponent. They have different origins, are not complementary nor in competition and have different consumers. These services are dissimilar.

2. Relevant public — degree of attention

The average consumer of the category of products concerned is deemed to be reasonably well informed and reasonably observant and circumspect. It should also be borne in mind that the average consumer’s degree of attention is likely to vary according to the category of goods or services in question.

In the present case, the goods and services found to be identical or similar are directed at the public at large and also at customers with specific professional knowledge or expertise.

The degree of attention varies from average to higher than average depending on the technical specification of the services.  

3. The signs

LIFE	Outlife
Earlier trade mark	Contested sign

The relevant territory is the European Union.

The global appreciation of the visual, aural or conceptual similarity of the marks in question must be based on the overall impression given by the marks, bearing in mind, in particular, their distinctive and dominant components (11/11/1997, C-251/95, Sabèl, EU:C:1997:528, § 23).

The unitary character of the European Union trade mark means that an earlier European Union trade mark can be relied on in opposition proceedings against any application for registration of a European Union trade mark that would adversely affect the protection of the first mark, even if only in relation to the perception of consumers in part of the European Union (18/09/2008, C-514/06 P, Armafoam, EU:C:2008:511, § 57). Therefore, a likelihood of confusion for only part of the relevant public of the European Union is sufficient to reject the contested application.

The common element LIFE is a basic English word understood also by non-English speakers. Consequently, the Opposition Division finds it appropriate to focus the comparison of the signs on the non-English-speaking part of the public such as the Italian or Spanish public.

The marks are word marks.

The word LIFE is perceived in both marks. It refers to the existence of a human being; the period between birth and death (Collins English Dictionary).The word OUT is not perceived with any meaning.

The marks are distinctive.

Visually and aurally the signs coincide in the letters LIFE, having the earlier mark fully incorporated in the contested sign. The signs differ in the letters OUT of the contested mark.  

Therefore, the signs are visually and aurally similar to an average degree.

Conceptually, the coincidences between the signs relate to the presence of the letter sequence LIFE in both marks, the meaning of which has been explained above, and the marks are conceptually similar to an average degree to that extent therefore.

As the signs have been found similar in at least one aspect of the comparison, the examination of likelihood of confusion will proceed.

4. Distinctiveness of the earlier mark

The distinctiveness of the earlier mark is one of the factors to be taken into account in the global assessment of likelihood of confusion.

The opponent did not explicitly claim that its mark is particularly distinctive by virtue of intensive use or reputation.

Consequently, the assessment of the distinctiveness of the earlier mark will rest on its distinctiveness per se. In the present case, the earlier trade mark as a whole has no meaning for any of the goods and services in question from the perspective of the public in the relevant territory. Therefore, the distinctiveness of the earlier mark must be seen as normal.

 

5. Global assessment, other arguments and conclusion

The goods and services have been found partially identical, partially similar and partially dissimilar. The visual, aural and conceptual aspects have been examined.

The earlier sign and the contested sign have been found to be similar to the extent that they have the word LIFE in common. Although the general rule that the public tends to pay particular attention to the first part of the trade mark is not being disregarded in the present case, the differences between the signs, even though they are placed at the beginning, cannot outweigh the prevailing coinciding elements perceived by the Spanish- or Italian -speaking part of the public. The earlier mark is fully encompassed in the contested sign.

Moreover, it should be taken into account that the average consumer only rarely has the chance to make a direct comparison between the different marks and the consumers may be easily confused because they will have to rely on the imperfect picture of the marks that they have kept in their mind.  

It is considered that the established similarities between the signs are sufficient to cause at least part of the public to believe that the conflicting goods and services which are identical or similar come from the same or economically liked undertakings.  The relevant public could therefore believe that the contested sign is a modification of the earlier mark based on the same core element.

Bearing in mind the foregoing, it is considered that the dissimilarities between the signs are not enough to counteract the significant and evident similarities perceived by Spanish- or Italian -speaking consumers. Consequently, the Opposition Division considers that there is a likelihood of confusion on the part of the Spanish- or Italian -speaking public and therefore the opposition is partly well-founded on the basis of the opponent’s European Union trade mark registration. As stated above in section c) of this decision, a likelihood of confusion for only part of the relevant public of the European Union is sufficient to reject the contested application.

It follows from the above that the contested trade mark must be rejected for the goods and services found to be identical or similar to those of the earlier trade mark.

The rest of the contested services are dissimilar. As similarity of goods and services is a necessary condition for the application of Article 8(1) EUTMR, the opposition based on this article and directed at these services cannot be successful.

COSTS

According to Article 85(1) EUTMR, the losing party in opposition proceedings must bear the fees and costs incurred by the other party. According to Article 85(2) EUTMR, where each party succeeds on some heads and fails on others, or if reasons of equity so dictate, the Opposition Division will decide a different apportionment of costs.

Since the opposition is successful only for part of the contested goods and services, both parties have succeeded on some heads and failed on others. Consequently, each party has to bear its own costs.

The Opposition Division

Francesca DINU

Erkki MÜNTER

Julie GOUTARD

According to Article 59 EUTMR, any party adversely affected by this decision has a right to appeal against this decision. According to Article 60 EUTMR, notice of appeal must be filed in writing at the Office within two months of the date of notification of this decision. It must be filed in the language of the proceedings in which the decision subject to appeal was taken. Furthermore, a written statement of the grounds of appeal must be filed within four months of the same date. The notice of appeal will be deemed to be filed only when the appeal fee of EUR 720 has been paid.