Invalidity · first instance · 2019-04-18
000010939
Contested design: 002681353-0001
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 0026813530001 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
Erco GmbHvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Brockhauser Weg 80-82, 58505 Lüdenscheid, Germany
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Akzu Lightsystem Co., Ltdvia PDF extraction
China (CN)
1529 Guojishizhang Jiaoliuzhongxin, Shahedong Road, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
lights
RCD No 001280739-0014 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2012-01-02
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character over earlier RCD No 001280739-0014, published before the contested design's filing date.
- ›The holder argued the designs differed in the diagonal front elements, holder construction and placement, back groove, and inclination feature, and said designer freedom was limited.
- ›The Division accepted disclosure of the earlier RCD, treated the holder as mainly functional, found sufficient designer freedom, and considered the shared lamp body, inner frame, holder shape, and smooth surface dominant.
- ›It concluded the differences did not alter the overall impression on the informed user, so the contested design lacked individual character and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI-ALOISI
- MemberBirgit FILTENBORG
- MemberJose Antonio GARRIDO OTAOLA
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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