Invalidity · first instance · 2018-05-02
000010666
Contested design: 003492321-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must pay the applicant's fixed costs of EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. Registered Community design No 0034923210001 is declared invalid. The holder bears the applicant’s costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
K9-Sport Kereskedelmi és Szolgáltató Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság
Hungary (HU)
Ipar utca 10-12. 2310 Szigetszentmiklós, Hungary
Represented by
Norbert András Pataki
Holder · RCD owner
K9-K4 Group BVBA
Belgium (BE)
Fabriekstraat 39a, 9700 Oudenaarde, Belgium
Prior art cited (2)
prior dog harness design / animal clothing
RCD No 002822312-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin
archived website and Facebook images of the contested dog harness
webarchive.org; www.k9-k4.be; holder Facebook page · webarchive.org; holder official website; Facebook
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying on earlier RCD No 002822312-0001 and online disclosures from the holder's website and Facebook page.
- ›The holder argued the contested design was new and individually distinctive because of differences in stripe layout, label and logo colour, and the more angular handle ring, while functional constraints shaped dog harnesses.
- ›The Division found the cited earlier RCD had been disclosed before the contested filing date and held that the differences were not immaterial for novelty, so Article 5 failed.
- ›The Division nevertheless found no different overall impression for individual character, given the common strap shape, HSWOLF lettering, animal logo, and considerable design freedom for dog harnesses, so the RCD was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberGailė SAKALAITĖ
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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