Available so far only in French and Spanish, the decision of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities in Case T‑340/06, Stradivarius España, SA v Office de l’harmonisation dans le marché intérieur, Cristina Ricci, was delivered earlier today.

The case involves an application to register as a Community trade mark the sign depicted above; an opposition was filed by Stradivarious España, based on earlier Community trade marks for the sign depicted on the right and maintaining that there was a likelihood of confusion. The Opposition Division and the First Board of Appeal both refused the opposition and today the appeal by Stradivarius España was also dismissed. If any helpful reader can clarify the nature of the dispute and indicate any significant elements in the legal ruling, this member of the Class 46 team would be most grateful.