Invalidity · first instance · 2018-10-25
000010715
Contested design: 000993605-0001
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 000993605-0001 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
Villa Verde Sp. z o.o.
Poland (PL)
ul. Szkotnik 9, 33-240 Zabno, Poland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
D-Light Device B.V.
Netherlands (NL)
Groenestraat 294, 6531 JC, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Represented by
Prior art cited (6)
TI-Light candle design evidenced by catalogue, orders, emails and photographs
Schawe Warenvertrieb
German utility model registration No 20 2006 015 660 · Germany · disclosed 2007-02-22
electrical cord retracting mechanism
United States Patent No US 3,705,962 · United States Patent · disclosed 1972-12-12
candles
Community design registration No 000249511-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2005-02-08
message candle
United States Patent No US 2005/0 079 465 A1 · United States Patent · disclosed 2005-04-14
display candle
United States Patent No US 3 744 957 · United States Patent · disclosed 1973-07-10
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the sticker lacked novelty and individual character over six earlier designs and that its thinness and central hole were excluded under Articles 4(2) and 8(2).
- ›The holder denied the invalidity grounds, challenged disclosure of D1, and argued the sticker was not a component part and remained novel and individually characterful.
- ›The Division found the applicant had not shown that the sticker was a component part of a complex product or that any feature was solely dictated by interconnection.
- ›The Division accepted D5 as disclosed before filing and found it identical to the contested design, so the RCD lacked novelty under Article 5.
- ›The invalidity application was upheld in full, the RCD was declared invalid, and the holder was ordered to pay EUR 750 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberGaile SAKALAITE
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- MemberBirgit FILTENBORG
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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