A not-so-super effort
Internet-based evidence was one of the weaknesses here, reports Sophie Soeting. O/300/200, SUPER HERO ENERGY (Opposition), UK IPO, 1st June 2020
The UK IPO has partially upheld consolidated opposition proceedings against applications for a series of two SUPER HERO figurative marks and the word mark SUPER HERO ENERGY (together, the Opposed Marks) filed by IN60 Media Ltd (the Applicant). Protection was sought for the opposed marks in classes 5, 29, 30 and 32.
The Opponent, Bare Biology Ltd, relied upon its figurative mark OMEGA 3 FISH OIL SUPER HERO (the Earlier Mark), registered in classes 5, 29 and 30. Its opposition was made on the basis of s5(2)(b) and s5(3) of the Trade Marks Act 1994.
Evidence
Ultimately, the Opponent did not succeed in providing the required evidence to support its case. Among the evidentiary deficiencies were that the majority of the evidence post-dated the relevant date or was undated and included links to webpages. In previous UK IPO decisions, the use of web links has been considered unacceptable on the grounds that internet content can be changed. The Hearing Officer (HO) considered that the Registry could treat such evidence as unacceptable but that this should be brought to the relevant party’s attention during the evidence rounds (which had not happened here). The opposition on the basis of reputation also failed, due to the Opponent’s lack of evidence to support its claim.
Likelihood of confusion
Despite the device and the presentational difference between the marks, it was concluded that the Opposed Marks and the Earlier
Mark were visually similar to a medium degree. Aurally, the figurative mark was considered identical, whereas the word mark was deemed similar to a higher than medium degree.
The words OMEGA 3 FISH OIL, included in the earlier figurative mark, would not be pronounced because of their much smaller size and fainter colour. Conceptually, the figurative mark was considered to be highly similar given the reference to a superhero character, whereas the word mark was considered similar to a higher than medium degree, given the additional word ENERGY.
A part of the goods in classes 5 and 30 were similar to a medium degree, whereas other parts of classes 5 and 30 were found to be dissimilar or similar to only a low degree. The goods in classes 29 and 32 were dissimilar. As a result, the opposition was partially upheld under s5(2)(b) in parts of classes 5 and 30 only.
The HO concluded that there was a likelihood of direct confusion in circumstances where only the words SUPER HERO were pronounced. However, when encountered visually, there was also a likelihood of indirect confusion for those goods similar to at least a medium degree, as the average consumer could be led to conclude that the marks were being used by the same or economically linked undertakings.
Finally, the HO noted that the wording “parts and accessories for all the aforesaid goods” in classes 5, 29, 30 and 32 in the Opposed Marks was unclear, citing an interpretation set out by Lord Justice Arnold in SkyKick1 to the effect that “a term which cannot be interpreted is to be disregarded”.
1 [2020] EWHC 990 (Ch), Sky Plc & Others v SkyKick UK Ltd & Another
Key points
- Evidence needs to be relevant and clear. Arguments cannot be inferred without the required facts and evidence to support them
- Links to internet evidence should not be provided as they are inherently unreliable
- It is difficult to argue reputation if there is very little evidence to support this basis
More from September's magazine
A call to action
Allister McManus issues an IP wake-up call to some well-known environmental activist groups.
Game on!
It will be interesting to see how an unusual argument plays out, says Charlotte Wilding. [2020] EWHC 1439 (Ch), Manchester United Football Club Ltd v Sega Publishing Europe Ltd & Another, High Court, 4th June 2020
Crossing the class divide
The trend for sin-free beverages is raising interesting questions for brand owners, Vanessa Harrow explains.