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Contested design 000953492-0022

Invalidity · first instance · 2019-08-13

000102261

Contested design: 000953492-0022

CDR

Outcome

Application rejected (holder wins)

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. 000953492-0022 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

NBL Europe GmbH

Germany (DE)

Monzastr. 4a, 63225 Langen, Deutschland

Holder · RCD owner

Erwin Müller GmbH

Germany (DE)

Breslauer Str. 34-38, 49808 Lingen (Ems), Deutschland

Prior art cited (1)

Catalog⚠ rejected as evidence

Alleged earlier wall-mounted toilet brush holder from the applicant's bathroom accessory series.

SERIES 113, article 11325A · NBL Europe GmbH product catalog and alleged trade-fair disclosure

Legal grounds invoked

Article 25(1)(b)Article 4Article 5Article 6Article 7

Argument summary

  • The applicant sought invalidity under Article 25(1)(b) CDR, alleging the contested bathroom accessory lacked novelty and individual character over its earlier Series 113 design.
  • It relied on catalog copies, trade-fair materials, and a manager's sworn statement to show prior disclosure before the RCD filing date.
  • The holder argued the evidence did not reliably prove publication, trade-fair display, or distribution of the catalogs before the relevant date.
  • The Division found the evidence, individually and cumulatively, insufficient to establish disclosure under Article 7 CDR and therefore did not reach a substantive novelty or individual-character finding.
  • The invalidity application was rejected and the applicant was ordered to pay EUR 400 in costs.

Deciding panel

  • MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
  • MemberNatascha GALPERIN
  • MemberIvanka IVANOVA

Decision files

LanguageTypeSource link
enEnglish (en)machine translatedDownload original from EUIPO ↗
deGermanoriginalDownload original from EUIPO ↗

Locarno classes

23.02

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