Invalidity · first instance · 2019-07-05
000101479
Contested design: 002733683-0003
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld; Registered Community design No. 002733683-0003 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. 002733683-0003 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
PMR Handelsgesellschaft mbH
Germany (DE)
Fennstr. 1, 12439 Berlin, Deutschland
Holder · RCD owner
Soma Group d.o.o.
RS
Terazije 42, 11000 Beograd, Serbien
Represented by
Prior art cited (2)
sofa design
D087019-0002
Sofagarnituren, Sofas
40 2015 202074-0004 · Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt register · disclosed 2016-12-23
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant sought invalidity based on two earlier sofa designs, arguing the contested RCD created no different overall impression.
- ›Holder asked for rejection, citing dense prior art and design differences in the armrests, body, and upholstery that allegedly changed the overall impression.
- ›The Division found broad designer freedom for sofas and treated the cited differences as minor against the highly similar overall angular configuration and armrest features.
- ›The German earlier design was protected before the contested filing date, the contested RCD lacked individual character in comparison, and invalidity was granted in full.
Deciding panel
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIngeborg MENDIETA VETTER
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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