Community trade mark - Opposition proceedings - Application for the Community figurative mark G Stor - Earlier national and Community word and figurative marks G-STAR and G-STAR RAW DENIM - Relative ground for refusal - Absence of similarity between the marks - Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (now Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009).

Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 21 January 2010 – G-Star Raw Denim v OHIM – ESGW (G Stor) (Case T-309/08) Community trade mark – Opposition proceedings – Application for the Community figurative mark G Stor – Earlier national and Community word and figurative marks G-STAR and G-STAR RAW DENIM – Relative ground for refusal – Absence of similarity between the marks – Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (now Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 Community trade mark – Definition and acquisition of the Community trade mark – Relative grounds for refusal – Opposition by the proprietor of an earlier identical or similar mark enjoying a reputation – Protection of well-known earlier mark extended to dissimilar goods or services (Council Regulation No 40/94, Art. 8(5)) (see paras 25, 36, 38) Re: ACTION brought against the decision of the First Board of Appeal of OHIM of 14 April 2008 (R 1232/2007-1), relating to opposition proceedings between G‑Star Raw Denim kft and ESGW Holdings Ltd. Information relating to the case Applicant for the Community trade mark: ESWG Holdings Ltd Community trade mark sought: The figurative mark ‘G Stor’ for goods in Class 9 Proprietor of the mark or sign cited in the opposition proceedings: G-Star Raw Denim kft Mark or sign cited in opposition: Benelux trade mark registration No 545551 of the word mark ‘G‑STAR’ for goods in Class 25; Community trade mark registration No 3445401 of the word/figurative mark ‘G‑STAR’ for goods in Classes 9 and 25; Community trade mark registration No 3444262 of the word mark ‘G‑Star’ for goods in Classes 9 and 25; earlier well‑known trade mark ‘G‑Star’ protected in various countries for goods in Class 25; Community trade mark registration No 3444171 of the mark ‘G‑STAR RAW DENIM’ for goods in Classes 9 and 35; Netherlands trade name G‑Star International BV Decision of the Opposition Division: Opposition upheld; application dismissed in its entirety Decision of the Board of Appeal: Contested decision annulled; opposition dismissed Operative part The Court: 1. Dismisses the action; 2. Orders G-Star Raw Denim kft to pay the costs.