Invalidity · first instance · 2018-10-04
000011176
Contested design: 004245181-0002
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld; the contested RCD is declared invalid and the holder bears the applicant's costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. Registered Community design No 004245181-0002 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
Crocs, Inc.
United States (US)
7477 East Dry Creek Parkway, Niwot, Colorado 80503, United States of America
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Jiawei Zhuvia PDF extraction
Czechia (CZ)
V Cestičkách 481/10, 182 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic
Prior art cited (2)
footwear
Community design No 001785015-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2010-12-02
footwear
Community design No 002022004-0002 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2012-04-24
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant Crocs argued the contested clog design lacked novelty and individual character over two earlier registered Community designs for footwear published in 2010 and 2012.
- ›Holder submitted no observations in reply.
- ›The Division found the designs not identical (novelty ground failed on immaterial details), but then assessed individual character against the first prior design, finding the overall impressions identical: same clog shape, fleece cuff, cutaway heel, and foxing pattern; minor colour and sole-pattern differences did not alter the overall impression.
- ›Application upheld on Article 25(1)(b) in conjunction with Article 6 CDR; RCD declared invalid for lack of individual character.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- MemberBirgit FILTENBORG
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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