Invalidity · first instance · 2018-11-14
000010628
Contested design: 002457341-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
The application for a declaration of invalidity of registered Community design No 002457341-0001 is rejected. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
4-Shisha GmbH
Germany (DE)
Im Hesselbruch 2, 45356 Essen, Germany
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
nextro GmbH
Austria (AT)
Bahnhof-Umgebung 17a, 6170 Zirl, Austria
Prior art cited (3)
hookah allegedly published on Facebook by a third party
Facebook · disclosed 2013-12-08
AK47 hookah allegedly exhibited at the Tobacco Plus Convention in Las Vegas and shown in Facebook posts
Tobacco Plus Convention, Las Vegas / Facebook · disclosed 2014-01-30
Kalashnikov rifle (AK-47) relied on through Wikipedia, YouTube, and press extracts
Wikipedia / YouTube / press article
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying on Facebook images, alleged trade-fair exhibition evidence, and later AK-47 materials as prior disclosures.
- ›The holder argued the Facebook materials were unreliable, the applicant had not proved any relevant prior disclosure, and the contested hookah created a different overall impression in any event.
- ›The Division held that the applicant's Facebook screenshots, private photographs, travel documents, and related materials did not provide solid, objective proof of public disclosure under Article 7 CDR.
- ›Because disclosure of the invoked prior designs was not proven, the Division did not assess novelty or individual character further and rejected the application.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
- MemberBirgit FILTENBORG
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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