Invalidity · first instance · 2018-05-30
000010672
Contested design: 002291112-0001
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 0022911120001 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
Raf-Stal sp. z o.o.
Poland (PL)
ul. Wegierska 78, 33-300 Nowy Sącz, Poland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Dongguan Weihong Hardware and Plastic Products Co., Ltd.via PDF extraction
China (CN)
188 Industrial Park, Pingshan Village, Tangxia Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China
Represented by
Prior art cited (4)
holder's 'Hinge regulator' patent showing the hinge adjuster appearance
EP 2803296 B1 / US 8661619 B2
RCD No 002002956-0016
RCD No 001969361-0002
Several printouts and extracts of catalogues, including invoices, alleging prior disclosure of different prior designs
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested hinge design was entirely dictated by technical function and also lacked novelty and individual character in light of earlier disclosures.
- ›The holder replied that the design was not solely functional, that clients cared about its appearance, and that the applicant's prior-disclosure evidence and expert opinion were unpersuasive.
- ›The Division found the design's essential features were chosen only to achieve the hinge's technical function, relying in particular on the holder's own EP 2803296 B1 patent.
- ›The invalidity ground under Article 25(1)(b) in conjunction with Article 8(1) CDR succeeded, so the RCD was declared invalid without examining the other pleaded grounds.
Deciding panel
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI-ALOISI
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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