re-registered identical trademarks

Re-registered Identical Trademarks, Dr. Rolf Claessen, Patent Attorneys Freischem

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The view from our office


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Orange S.A.


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Orange S.A.

• belongs to France Telecom

• 47 billion EUR revenue (2010)

• 170.000 employees (2010)


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Orange S.A.

• ORANGE (DE2906299) 1994 classes 9, 38


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Orange S.A.


• ORANGE (EM000127837) 1996 classes 9, … , 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42


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Orange S.A.


• ORANGE (EM000127837) 1996 classes 9, ..., 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42



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Orange S.A.




• ORANGE (IR702506) 1998 classes 9, 38


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Orange S.A.





• ORANGE (EM001079169) 1999 classes 3, 5, 9, ..., 38, ..., 42


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Orange S.A.


• ORANGE (EM000127837) 1996 classes 9, 16, 18, 25, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42

• ORANGE (EM000127902) 1996 classes 9, 16, 18, 25, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42


• ORANGE (EM001079169) 1999 classes 3, 5, 9, 14, ..., 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42

• ORANGE (IR715855) 1999 classes 9, 16, 18, 25, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42

• ORANGE (EM001619386) 2000 classes 9, 12, 38

• ORANGE (IR790992) 2001 classes 9, 16, 18, 25, 28, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42

• ORANGE (EM002810281) 2002 classes 38, 39, 41

• ORANGE (EM005200861) 2006 classes 9, 38, 42, 44, 45

• ORANGE (DE3020090676534), 2009 classes 9, 35, 38, 41, 42

• ORANGE (EM008164791) 2009 classes 9, 14, ..., 25, 26, 28, 30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45

• ORANGE (EM008164758) 2009 classes 14, 18, 21, 26, 28, 30, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41, 43

• ORANGE (EM009300955) 2010 classes 9, 16, 35, 36, 38, 41, 42

• ORANGE (IR1154710) 2012 classes 9, 35, 36, 37, 38, 42, 44




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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


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Orange EM011428323 – class 9


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Orange – electrode manufacturer


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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)


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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


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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


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• 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


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• 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


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ECJ T-136/11- pelicantravel.com

• Pelicantravel.com, opposed based on

• Registered for various travel services

• History: Opposition, Appeal


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• 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


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• What do we learn from this decision?

• Re-registered identical trademarks relevant during opposition

• Identity of signs probably neccessary

• Otherwise, file cancellation action


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• 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


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• 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


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Patents, Trademarks, Designs in Europe www.freischem.eu

Patents, Trademarks, Designs – in Europe www.freischem.eu

re-registered identical trademarks

Business

orange de2906299

orange em000127837

orange em000127902

orange ir702506

orange em001079169

orange ir790992

orange em005200861

orange em001619386