Honda Motor Co., Ltd. v. RIGINOS YACHTS ΑΝΩΝΥΜΗ ΕΜΠΟΡΙΚΗ KAI ΜΕΣΙΤΙΚΗ ETAIPEIA

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Case details

Case no.: R2384/2017-1

Jurisdiction: European Union

Industry: Cars

Decision date: 27 May, 2019

Decision

Appeal dismissed. The goods, ie different types of marine vehicles and parts thereof are identical, whereas the services around these goods are only similar. The relevant, professional public is attentive, pays attention to trade marks, quality and other characteristics of the goods. Visually, both figurative marks are similar. In the Board’s opinion, in France the phonetic similarity is high and the conflicting marks have no meaning. This possible phonetic high similarity between the trade mark applied for and the earlier marks is not counterbalanced by the figurative elements. Therefore, there is a likelihood of confusion.

Comparison of Trademarks

HONDA