Invalidity · first instance · 2018-11-23
000010733
Contested design: 000009097-0001
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 000009097-0001 is rejected. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Dinopol Sp. z o.o.
Poland (PL)
ul. Odolanowska 91, 63 400 Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland
Holder · RCD owner
Brødrene Hartmann A/S
Denmark (DK)
Ørnegårdsvej 18, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark
Represented by
Prior art cited (14)
display package patent owned by Bro-Drene Hartmann A/S
US 7,665,608 B2 · United States Patent
display package for articles such as eggs
EP 1 373 100 B1 · European Patent
Polish patent owned by Brødrene Hartmann A/S concerning egg packaging
PL 200 629 B1 · Polish Patent
fact sheet for '2x6 imagic® E 9812' egg packaging
https://hartmannazurecdn.azureedge.net · hartmannazurecdn.azureedge.net
summary of market report available online
Global Egg Packaging Market 2016-2020 · businesswire.com
excerpt from annual accounts and directors report
Huhtamaki 2013 Annual Accounts and Directors’ Report · Huhtamaki
article excerpt from page 44 of Poultry Digest
Poultry Digest article “Huhtamaki’s extensive range of egg packaging solutions” · Poultry Digest
Brødrene Hartmann flyer on moulded fibre egg packaging
Good reasons for using moulded fibre egg packaging · hartmannazurecdn.azureedge.net
online egg carton data sheets of various brands including OMNI-PAC, Celluloses de la Loire and Huhtamaki
online
Technical Egg packaging Information webpage screenshot
http://hartmann-packaging.com · hartmann-packaging.com · disclosed 2016-09-14
imagic® egg packaging webpage printout
http://www.hartmann-packaging.com · hartmann-packaging.com · disclosed 2017-05-23
MOBA specifications for packaging producers
Grading-Packing-Processing. Egg packing info and requirements: Grading · MOBA
STAALKAT specifications for packaging producers
PD Eggtrays Guidelines · STAALKAT
NestPack – The premium webpage printout
http://www.huhtamaki.com · huhtamaki.com
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued that the egg carton’s essential features were solely dictated by technical function under Article 8(1), relying on patents, machine specifications and market materials.
- ›Holder responded that the overall visual impression was unique, alternative designs could perform the same functions, and machine compatibility did not dictate the exact chosen appearance.
- ›The Invalidity Division found egg-carton packaging in this market also serves visual differentiation and marketing purposes, as confirmed by the evidence submitted by both sides.
- ›It concluded that the essential features were not solely technically driven and rejected the invalidity application, ordering the applicant to bear costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberGailė SAKALAITĖ
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberBirgit FILTENBORG
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
Locarno classes
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