The General Court of the European Union has announced the resolution of a legal dispute involving Greek dairy company Kolios AE and a consortium of Cypriot sheep and goat milk processors and producers. This development follows Kolios AE's decision to retract its trademark application for the product name "HALLOUMAKI." The decision was detailed in a Court of Justice press release issued today. 

Kolios AE initially filed for the trademark with the EUIPO on September 19, 2019. However, on September 15, 2020, a Nicosia-based group of dairy processors and producers challenged this application. Their opposition stemmed from a previously established Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for "Halloumi/Hellim," a designation granted in 2021 for traditionally made Cypriot cheeses.

Despite their efforts, the EUIPO dismissed the group's opposition, asserting there was no likelihood of confusion between "HALLOUMAKI" and the PDO-protected Halloumi.

Undeterred, the group escalated the matter to the General Court of the EU on August 2, 2022, seeking to overturn the EUIPO's decision. However, this appeal became moot on October 26, 2023. The Court acknowledged that Kolios AE's withdrawal of the "HALLOUMAKI" trademark application rendered any ruling unnecessary.

The EUIPO confirmed that there was no longer a dispute to settle. The group of Cypriot producers consented to this resolution, having reached an agreement with Kolios AE regarding the withdrawal of the contentious trademark application.