Invalidity · first instance · 2019-05-06
000011128
Contested design: 001787714-0003
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity of registered Community design No 001787714-0003 is rejected. 2. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
HappyBrush GmbH
Germany (DE)
Amalienstr. 71, 80799 München, Germany
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Netherlands (NL)
High Tech Campus 5, 5656 AE Eindhoven, Netherlands
Represented by
Prior art cited (5)
electric toothbrush
RCD No 001532391-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2009-06-29
electric toothbrush
RCD No 000731880-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2007-07-03
electric toothbrush shown on Amazon and Philips websites
Philips Sonicare HX6511/02 · Amazon.co.uk; Philips.co.uk · disclosed 2010-04-15
electric toothbrush shown on Argos and Philips websites
Philips Sonicare HX6511/50 · Argos.co.uk; Philips.com
other electric toothbrush products with user comments dated 2008, 2009 and 2010
Amazon.de listings · Amazon.de
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character over two earlier RCDs and several alleged internet disclosures of Philips electric toothbrushes.
- ›The holder argued the contested design remained novel and individually distinctive, stressing its continuous transition from a rectangular handle body to a cylindrical upper portion.
- ›The Division accepted disclosure only for earlier RCDs D1 and D2, rejected the late-added and poor-quality website evidence, and found designer freedom broad in the electric-toothbrush sector.
- ›Because the contested design's shape, decoration and button details created a different overall impression from D1 and D2, the application was rejected and costs were awarded against the applicant.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberGailė SAKALAITĖ
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| esespañol (es) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| frfrançais (fr) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| ititaliano (it) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
Locarno classes
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