Black Sheep Coffee Narrows Rival EU 'Black Sheep Club' Mark

An EU Intellectual Property Office opposition board has sided with Black Sheep Coffee in limiting a competitor's application for the mark 'Black Sheep Club.' The decision, issued on October 12, 2026, found that consumers in the European Union would likely confuse the marks for coffee shop and related services.

The ruling narrows the scope of the figurative 'Black Sheep Club' application filed by a German individual, preventing registration in classes overlapping with Black Sheep Coffee's established EU rights. Black Sheep Coffee, operated by Conilon Ltd., relied on its earlier registrations covering coffee, beverages, and cafe services.

The board determined that the shared 'Black Sheep' element created a risk of association, particularly given the descriptive nature of 'Club' in a hospitality context. The applicant may still pursue registration in non-conflicting classes.

This outcome highlights ongoing enforcement by European coffee chains against similar branding in the competitive cafe sector.

Sources: https://www.law360.com/articles/2536101/black-sheep-coffee-blocks-black-sheep-club-eu-tm-bid https://www.trademarkelite.com/europe/trademark/trademark-detail/019185143/BLACK-SHEEP-CLUB