Post by EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office

Same letter, different trade mark – Why two “A” shields can coexist In case R0710/2025-5, the Board of Appeal confirmed that there was no likelihood of confusion between two figurative marks featuring the letter “A” inside a shield. Although the goods and services were identical or similar, the marks created different overall visual impressions. Conceptually, the letter ‘A’ has no specific meaning in relation to the relevant goods or services, and the mere presence of the same letter of the alphabet is insufficient to establish conceptual similarity. Single-letter marks generally have weak distinctive character, unless strongly stylised or proven through use. When signs are very short, even small visual differences can be enough for consumers to distinguish them. The decision also recalls an important principle: trade mark protection should not lead to a monopoly over a single letter per se. 🔹 Read the decision: https://lnkd.in/euTbby28 🔹 Read more about likelihood of confusion in the case of single-letter signs in the Boards of Appeal case-law research reports: https://lnkd.in/dXcbKwih