Invalidity · first instance · 2019-01-22
000010761
Contested design: 001453419-0001
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld, the contested Registered Community design No 001453419-0001 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. 001453419-0001 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
Högert Technik GmbH
Germany (DE)
Pariser Platz 6a, 10117 Berlin, Deutschland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Grupa Topex Sp. z o.o. Sp. k.via PDF extraction
Poland (PL)
ul. Pograniczna 2/4, 02-285 Warszawa, Polen
Represented by
Prior art cited (2)
equipped tool case / socket set
shengketools.com, Item# 121111A 111pcs 1/4 · shengketools.com · disclosed 2014-08-15
equipped tool case / socket set
SANT Manufacturer Ningbo Shengke Tools Co., Ltd 2014/2015 product catalog · SANT Manufacturer Ningbo Shengke Tools Co., Ltd · disclosed 2014-12-31
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying on prior online and catalog disclosures of a nearly identical equipped tool case.
- ›The holder argued the prior evidence was untranslated, not proven disclosed to EU circles before the grace period, and in any event the contested design created a different overall impression.
- ›The Division accepted the website and catalog as sufficiently reliable disclosures, found them publicly accessible before 16 February 2015, and held the grace-period defence inapplicable to third-party disclosures.
- ›Comparing the overall appearance of the equipped cases, the Division found only minor differences and concluded the contested design lacked individual character.
- ›The invalidity application was upheld in full, the RCD was declared invalid, and costs were awarded against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIngeborg MENDIETA VETTER
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
Locarno classes
Similar decisions
Ranked by shared Locarno class + shared legal grounds + matching outcome. Click a case to view full detail.
| Case | Date | Outcome | Shared grounds | Locarno | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000010760 vs GTX Poland Sp. z o.o. Sp. k. | 2019-01-22 | REUD invalidated | — | 03, 08 | 9 |
| 000131944 vs Jinsong Liu | 2026-04-29 | REUD invalidated | — | 08 | 6 |
| 000131964 vs Shenzhen Debaisite Trading Co., Ltd. | 2026-04-22 | REUD invalidated | — | 03 | 6 |
| 000128615 vs Yami Zhongchuang (wenzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. | 2026-04-07 | REUD invalidated | — | 08 | 6 |
| 000129304 vs APRIMONIA Ltd. | 2026-03-25 | REUD invalidated | — | 03 | 6 |
| 000128757 vs Axue Jin | 2026-03-11 | REUD invalidated | — | 08 | 6 |
| 000127279 vs KNIPEX-WERK C. Gustav Putsch KG | 2026-03-05 | REUD invalidated | — | 08 | 6 |
| 000127244 vs KNIPEX-WERK C. Gustav Putsch KG | 2026-03-05 | REUD invalidated | — | 08 | 6 |