Junior CTM registration no defence, Court rules

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Junior CTM registration no defence, Court rules

Owners of registered Community trade marks cannot use their marks to defend infringement actions based on a senior CTM, Europe’s highest court has ruled

FCI mark

The Court of Justice of the EU ruled yesterday in a case between two dog breeding organizations, FCI and FCIPPR. Both owned similar Community trade marks. A court in Alicante asked the Court of Justice to decide whether Article 9(1) of the Trade Mark Regulation allows CTM owners to prevent other parties from using similar or identical sign, even if that later-registered mark has not been declared invalid.

The Court said that the owner of the more recent registration cannot use that registration to defend itself against claims of infringement by the owner of a senior mark.

FCIPPR-mark

The decision has important implications for the law in a number of member states, such as the UK, Spain and Ireland, which allow defendants in infringement actions to rely on their junior registrations until they have been declared invalid.

The ruling implies that such a defence should not be allowed.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale was represented by Eric Jordi Cubells of Monereo Meyer Marinel-lo. The Federación Canina Internacional de Perros de Pura Raza was advised by S Doménech López.




more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

The five-partner team enhances Sheppard Mullin’s technology and life sciences capabilities, expanding its IP practice to more than 130 practitioners
In an exclusive interview, Rouse CEO Luke Minford, Arnold & Siedsma managing partner Steve Duxbury, and Wrays executive chairman Gary Cox discuss plans to build the world’s first ‘truly integrated’ global IP services business
Benjamin Grzimek, partner at Casalonga’s new Düsseldorf office, believes the firm is well-placed to challenge German UPC dominance
A lot of the reporting around the Anthropic settlement misses something critical: it isn’t that relevant to AI training, argues Rebecca Newman at Addleshaw Goddard
Justin Hill and Marie Jansson Heeks, part of an 18-strong team to have joined Crowell & Moring, explain why IP client advice must go beyond only being called upon for patent disclosure
To mark the EUIPO having processed five million EUTM and REUD applications, Managing IP speaks to the most prolific representatives to uncover how they stay at the top of their game
The merger marks Rouse’s second M&A deal within a month, and will provide access to Arnold & Siedsma’s UPC offering
Simon Tønners explains why IP provides the chance to work with some of the most passionate, risk-taking, and emotionally invested clients
The co-leaders of the firm’s new SEP practice group say the team will combine litigation and prosecution expertise to guide clients through cross-border challenges
Boasting four former Spruson & Ferguson leaders and with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, the IP firm aims to provide fast, practical advice to clients
Gift this article