On 18 June 2025, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) issued its decision in Opposition No. B 3 220 595, rejecting in full an opposition filed by Ixia Regal, S.A., a Spanish company, against the European Union trademark application for the word mark “ZJILIXIA,” filed by Shenzhen Jilixia Technology Co., Ltd.
The contested application was represented before the EUIPO by IP CYPRUS – IOANNIDES CLEANTHOUS & CO LLC.
The opposition was based on the earlier EU trademark registration No. 18 188 741 for the word mark “IXIA,” and was filed under Article 8(1)(b) of the EUTMR, alleging a likelihood of confusion. The opponent argued that the marks were similar and covered overlapping goods in Class 20, including various types of furniture and decorative household items.
The EUIPO acknowledged that the goods in question were in part identical or similar. However, it held that the two signs were visually and aurally similar only to a low degree. The mark “ZJILIXIA” was found to contain a striking and distinctive prefix “ZJIL,” which, when placed at the beginning of the mark, created a sufficiently different overall impression compared to the earlier mark “IXIA.”
The Office emphasized that consumers tend to focus on the beginning of a word when perceiving a trademark and concluded that the shared letters at the end of the marks did not lead to confusion. Neither mark had a specific conceptual meaning to the average EU consumer, and therefore no conceptual similarity was found.
In its global assessment, the EUIPO determined that the differences between the two signs were clear enough to exclude any likelihood of confusion, even in the case of identical goods. Consequently, the opposition was rejected and the opponent was ordered to pay EUR 300 in costs.
IP CYPRUS – IOANNIDES CLEANTHOUS & CO LLC regularly represents international clients before the EUIPO and offers expert legal advice on trademark registration, opposition, and enforcement across the European Union. If your business is seeking to protect or defend a trademark in the EU, our experienced team can assist you with tailored, strategic guidance at every stage of the process.
