French Government v. France.com: the European Battlefield

The opposition was based on international registration No 1032440 designating the European Union
The judicial battle between the French government and France.com, Inc., which occurs in France and the United States, also takes place before the European Union courts. France.com, Inc. had filed an application for European trademark. This application referred to a semi-figurative sign composed of i) the name “France.com” and, ii) a pentagon in the colors of the French flag in the center of which a white Eiffel Tower is embedded. This trademark application designates goods and services of classes 35, 39 and 41. The French government filed an opposition on the basis of an international trademark designating the European Union. This trademark consists of i) the denomination “France” and, ii) the Eiffel Tower on the first floor of which the French flag floats in a horizontal manner. This trademark refers to goods and services of classes 9, 35 and 41. In the first instance, the Opposition Division of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) rejected the opposition. Subsequently, the First Board of Appeal of EUIPO annulled the decision of the Opposition Division. France.com, Inc. lodged an appeal before the General Court. Following a typical presentation and analysis, the court rejected the appeal in a decision rendered June 28, 2018 (GC, 8th ch., 26 June 2018, France.com, Inc. c. European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), T-71/17).

Trademark application made by France.com, Inc.