Invalidity · first instance · 2019-04-08
000010772
Contested design: 003098664-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld; the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must pay the applicant's fixed costs of EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. Registered Community design No 003098664-0001 is declared invalid. The holder bears the applicant’s costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
McCain Foods Limited
CA
8800 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick E7L 1B2, Canada
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
J.R. Simplot Company
United States (US)
1099 W. Front Street, Boise, Idaho 83702, United States of America
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
potato shapes
RCD No 001769167-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2010-11-23
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the contested potato-shape design lacked individual character over earlier disclosures, especially prior RCD No 001769167-0001.
- ›Holder replied that the contested design had multiple twists, a more compact form, and sufficiently differed from the earlier design.
- ›The Division admitted the earlier RCD disclosure, rejected late-added invalidity grounds and unrelated late prior art, and found broad designer freedom for potato product shapes.
- ›Comparing the registered forms, the Division held the extra half twist did not change the overall impression, so the contested RCD lacked individual character and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI-ALOISI
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberBirgit FILTENBORG
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000129539 vs MOHAMAR JAMOU | 2026-01-14 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 01 | 8 |
| 000126695 vs IKOONA SP. Z O.O. | 2025-10-28 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 01 | 8 |
| 000127155 vs McLLOYD'S s.r.o. | 2025-08-18 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 01 | 8 |
| 000127156 vs McLLOYD'S s.r.o. | 2025-08-18 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 01 | 8 |
| 000127157 vs McLLOYD'S s.r.o. | 2025-08-18 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 01 | 8 |
| 000126116 vs IZVOR COMERCIAL INVEST SRL | 2025-02-17 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 01 | 8 |
| 000120413 vs Hristo Shiderov | 2025-02-07 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 01 | 8 |
| 000126097 vs EYADA GLOBAL SYSTEM GROUP | 2024-10-25 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 01 | 8 |