Invalidity · first instance · 2018-09-18
000010758
Contested design: 003852672-0024
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 0038526720024 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
David Kipping
Germany (DE)
Agrippinawerft 24, 50678 Cologne, Germany
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Chrome Cherry Design Studio (PTY) Ltdvia PDF extraction
ZA
Unit 304, Salt Circle Arcade, 19 Kent Street, Salt River, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa
Prior art cited (2)
classic Lego plate
Lego-compatible silicone straps with two lines of studs
www.facebook.com/strictlybricks · Facebook · disclosed 2016-06-03
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the flexible studded tape design was purely technical and, in any event, lacked novelty or individual character over the classic Lego plate and earlier Strictly Briks straps.
- ›Holder contested disclosure of the earlier straps, denied that the features were purely functional, and argued visible differences in studs, underside, colours, and length changed the overall impression.
- ›The Division accepted the Facebook Strictly Briks disclosure dated 03/06/2016 as prior design D2, but found D2 did not destroy novelty because the designs were not identical in all essential features.
- ›Despite those differences, the Division held the contested RCD produced the same overall impression as D2 for the informed user and lacked individual character, so the application was upheld and the RCD invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI-ALOISI
- MemberBirgit FILTENBORG
- MemberPierluigi M. VILLANI
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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