Invalidity · first instance · 2018-11-12
000010541
Contested design: 002256354-0003
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld; Registered Community design No. 002256354-0003 is declared invalid, and the holder must bear the applicant's costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 002256354-0003 wird für nichtig erklärt. Die Inhaberin trägt die Kosten der Antragstellerin, die auf 750 EUR festgesetzt werden.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Ningbo Degson Electronics Co., Ltd.via PDF extraction
China (CN)
No. 1585 Xiaolin Road, Cixi, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315321, Volksrepublik China
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
Germany (DE)
Hansastr. 27, 32423 Minden, Deutschland
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
Leiterplattenklemme
001733239-0004 · EUIPO eSearch database · disclosed 2010-07-22
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for a PCB terminal block, arguing lack of individual character over earlier RCD No. 001733239-0004 and also invoking invisibility in a complex product and technical-function objections.
- ›The holder disputed the product characterisation, visibility, technical-function claim, and market assumptions, and argued that housing design choices remained free and the contested design created a different overall impression.
- ›The Division accepted disclosure of the earlier RCD, found only limited constraints on designer freedom, and treated the differences, including push-buttons versus openings, as insufficient to alter the very similar overall impression.
- ›The invalidity application was upheld because the contested design lacked individual character; the Division did not need to assess the separate Article 4(2) and Article 8(1) grounds.
Deciding panel
- MemberGailė SAKALAITĖ
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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