Invalidity · first instance · 2019-07-31
000000021
Contested design: 000699194-0003
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Der Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung des eingetragenen Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmusters Nr. 0006991940003 wird zurückgewiesen. 2. Die Antragstellerin trägt die Kosten der Inhaberin, die auf 400 EUR festgesetzt werden.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
XXXLutz KG
Austria (AT)
Römerstrasse 39, 4600 Wels, Österreich
Holder · RCD owner
Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
Switzerland (CH)
Sonnenbergstraße 9, 6052 Hergiswil, Schweiz
Prior art cited (1)
Swiss design invoked by the applicant as the priority design and described as a roll-up mat
Swiss Design No. 134 391 · Switzerland
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity under Article 25(1)(b) and Article 8(1), arguing the contested design's essential features were dictated solely by technical function.
- ›It said the product was effectively a roll-up drainer rather than a chopping board and relied on Swiss Design No. 134 391 plus a register extract and images.
- ›The holder replied that the design resulted from aesthetic choices, stressing the visual effect of the parallel rods and side bands and filing witness, expert, and product examples.
- ›The Division found the cited features also reflected aesthetic considerations and that the applicant had not proved all essential features were exclusively function-driven.
- ›The invalidity application was therefore rejected and costs were awarded against the applicant.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberIngeborg MENDIETA VETTER
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000129741 vs 2W ORGANIC | 2026-05-12 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 07 | 8 |
| 000131632 vs DETECTALIA EUROPE, S.L.U. | 2026-05-12 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 07 | 8 |
| 000131788 vs Liu Xiaoxia | 2026-05-08 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 07 | 8 |
| 000131628 vs Shenzhen Changhe Technology Co., Ltd | 2026-04-30 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 07 | 8 |
| 000131704 vs Shenzhen Changhe Technology Co., Ltd | 2026-04-29 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 07 | 8 |
| 000131745 vs Huan Wang | 2026-04-21 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 07 | 8 |
| 000130924 vs SOHAI HOUSEWARES CO.,LTD. | 2026-04-17 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 07 | 8 |
| 000131546 vs Foshan Changyuansheng Technology Co., Ltd. | 2026-03-26 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 07 | 8 |