Invalidity · first instance · 2019-08-14
000102519
Contested design: 000953492-0020
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested Community design 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. 000953492-0020 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
NBL Europe GmbH
Germany (DE)
Monzastr. 4a, 63225 Langen, Deutschland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Erwin Müller GmbH
Germany (DE)
Breslauer Str. 34-38, 49808 Lingen (Ems), Deutschland
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
toilet paper holder for wall mounting
RCD No 000112743-0014 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2004-03-23
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and at least lack of individual character based on earlier disclosures, including RCD No 000112743-0014.
- ›The holder requested rejection, argued no evidence had been filed for the earlier RCD, and said the earlier design did not defeat novelty or individual character.
- ›The Division held the earlier RCD was duly disclosed through its publication in the Community Designs Bulletin on 23 March 2004.
- ›Comparing both wall-mounted toilet paper holders, the Division found only minor differences and the same overall impression on the informed user despite broad design freedom.
- ›The contested RCD lacked individual character under Article 6(1)(b), so the application was upheld and the design declared invalid.
Deciding panel
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIvanka IVANOVA
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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