Invalidity · first instance · 2019-02-12
000010661
Contested design: 000124912-0001
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld; registered Community design No 000124912-0001 is declared invalid, and the holder must pay the applicant's costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 000124912-0001 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
Micromic S.r.l.
Italy (IT)
Via Silvio Pellico 19/9ª, 00040 Pomezia RM, Italien
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Vorwerk Elektrowerke GmbH & Co. KG
Germany (DE)
Mühlenweg 17-37, 42270 Wuppertal, Deutschland
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the dust filter bag is a component of a complex product, is not visible during the vacuum cleaner's intended use, and is also excluded from protection by technical-function and must-fit objections.
- ›The holder replied that a vacuum bag is consumable rather than a component part, is visible when inserted, and includes design features not dictated solely by technical function.
- ›The Division held that the vacuum cleaner is a complex product and the bag is a component part, but the bag is not visible during the vacuum cleaner's intended use because bag replacement is maintenance rather than intended use.
- ›The Article 4(2) objection succeeded, so the contested RCD was declared invalid and the Article 8 grounds were left unexamined.
Deciding panel
- MemberGailė SAKALAITĖ
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIngeborg MENDIETA VETTER
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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