11. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
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Orange EM011428323 – class 9 - 2012
Class 9: Electrical and electronic communications and telecommunications apparatus and instruments; communications and
telecommunications apparatus and instruments; electrical and electronic apparatus and instruments all for processing, logging, storing,
transmission, retrieval or reception of data; apparatus and instruments for recording, transmission, amplifying or reproduction of sound, images,
information or encoded data; cameras; photographic apparatus, instruments and equipment; image processing apparatus, instruments and
equipment; bar code scanners and readers; television and radio apparatus and instruments; telecommunication, radio and television
broadcasting transmitters and receivers; apparatus for access to broadcast or transmitted programmes; holograms; computers; peripheral
equipment for computers; programmed-data-carrying electronic circuits; computer programs; computer software; discs, tapes and wires all
being magnetic data carriers; printed circuit boards; blank and pre-recorded magnetic cards; data cards; memory cards; smart cards; cards
containing microprocessors; integrated circuit cards; electronic identification cards; telephone cards; telephone credit cards; credit cards; debit
cards; cards for electronic games designed for use with telephones; CD ROMS; magnetic, digital and optical data carriers; magnetic, digital and
optical data recording and storage media (blank and pre-recorded); USB flash drives; computer software supplied from the Internet;
downloadable ringtones for mobile phones; electronic publications (downloadable) provided on-line from computer databases or the Internet;
computer software and telecommunications apparatus (including modems) to enable connection to databases, local area networks and the
Internet; computer software to enable teleconferencing, videoconferencing and videophone services; computer software to enable searching
and retrieval of data; computer software for accessing databases, telecommunications services, computer networks and electronic bulletin
boards; computer games software; downloadable music files; devices for playing downloadable music files; portable media players; photographs,
pictures, graphics, image files, sound bites, films, videos and audio-visual programmes (downloadable) provided on-line or from computer
databases or the Internet or Internet websites; remote monitoring apparatus and instruments; computer software for use in remote monitoring;
satellite transmitters and receivers; telecommunications and broadcasting satellites; radio telephone beacons and telephone masts; electric
wires and cables; optical cables; resistance wires; electrodes; telecommunications systems and installations; terminals for telephone networks;
telephone switchboards; telecommunications signal input, storage, conversion and processing apparatus; telephone equipment; equipment for
fixed, transportable, mobile, hands-free or voice-activated telephones; multimedia terminals; interactive terminals for displaying and ordering
goods and services; paging, radio paging and radio-telephone apparatus and instruments; telephones, mobile telephones and telephone
handsets; facsimile machines; personal digital assistants (PDAs); electronic notepads; electronic notebooks; electronic tablets; electronic
handheld units for the wireless receipt, storage and/or transmission of data and messages; mobile electronic devices that enable the user to
keep track of or manage personal information; accessories for telephones and telephone handsets; adapters for use with telephones; battery
chargers for use with telephones; desk or car mounted units incorporating a loudspeaker to allow a telephone handset to be used hands-free; in-
car telephone handset cradles; bags and cases specially adapted for holding or carrying portable telephones and telephone equipment and
accessories; cell phone straps; computerised personal organisers; aerials; batteries; micro processors; key boards; modems; calculators; display
screens; electronic global positioning systems; electronic navigational, tracking and positioning apparatus and instruments; monitoring (other
than in-vivo monitoring) apparatus and instruments; radio apparatus and instruments; electrical control, testing (other than in-vivo testing),
signalling, checking (supervision) and teaching apparatus and instruments; optical and electro-optical apparatus and instruments; video films;
audio-visual apparatus and equipment; electrical and electronic accessories and peripheral equipment designed and adapted for use with
computers and audio-visual apparatus; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods.
electrodes
14. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
14
Conflict History
Orange medical supplies files trademark ORANGE for electrodes
Orange (Telco) opposes trademark ORANGE for electrodes
Orange (Telco) sues Orange medical supplies successfully
Orange medical supplies has to
...find a new name and
... pay damages (all profits) to Orange (Telco)
15. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
15
Why is this possible in Europe/Germany?
• Trademark owners in Europe can litigate
trademarks for goods and services
without proof of use within the first 5
years after registration
16. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
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Re-registered identical trademarks - OHIM
• Re-registered identical trademarks are
generally considered filed in bad faith
• Subject to cancellation – cancellation
proceedings
• When are trademarks considered
identical?
• Identity of signs
• Identity of goods and services
17. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
17
Re-registered identical trademarks - OHIM
• Why are re-registered identical
trademarks generally considered filed in
bad faith
• Filed to avoid the 5 year grace period,
where the trademarks can be litigated
without proof of use
18. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
18
Re-registered identical trademarks - OHIM
• When does this become relevant?
• Registration process: no
• Opposition:
• 2nd Board of appeals: no
• 4th Board of appeals: yes,
requirement of use
• Cancellation: yes, bad faith
19. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
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ECJ T-136/11- pelicantravel.com
• Pelicantravel.com, opposed based on
• Registered for various travel services
• History: Opposition, Appeal
21. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
21
ECJ T-136/11- pelicantravel.com
• Is this sign
• identical to this sign?
• ECJ: not identical, slight alterations not
necessarily sign of bad faith, sign of
modernatization of corporate identity
scheme
22. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
22
ECJ T-136/11- pelicantravel.com
• What do we learn from this decision?
• Re-registered identical trademarks
relevant during opposition
• Identity of signs probably neccessary
• Otherwise, file cancellation action
23. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
23
ECJ T-136/11- pelicantravel.com
• Recommendations for owners of re-
registered identical trademarks
• Variation in the jurisdiction of
trademarks (DE, CTM, …)
• Alter sign just slightly
• Alter goods or services just slightly
24. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
24
ECJ T-136/11- pelicantravel.com
• Recommendations for the defense
against re-registered identical
trademarks
• Opposition: try to defend with non-use
of earlier mark
• In any case: file cancellation action
based on bad faith
25. Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem
www.freischem.eu
25
Patents, Trademarks, Designs in Europe
www.freischem.eu
Patents, Trademarks, Designs – in Europe
www.freischem.eu