Invalidity · first instance · 2019-11-11
000010583
Contested design: 002778811-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must pay the applicant’s costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. Registered Community design No 002778811-0001 is declared invalid. The holder bears the applicant’s costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Rubik’s Brand Limited
United Kingdom (GB)
7 Lambton Place, London W11 2SH, United Kingdom
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
East Sheen Industrial Co., Ltd.
Taiwan (TW)
No. 287-21, Fang Jen Rd., Renwu Dist., Kaohsiung City 814, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Prior art cited (2)
Rubik’s Cube Mini; three-dimensional puzzle in the shape of a 2 × 2 × 2 cube
EUTM No 9 975 681 · EU Trade Marks Bulletin No 2011/193 · disclosed 2011-10-11
Archived pages showing Rubik’s 3 × 3 and 2 × 2 Cube puzzles on http://uk.rubiks.com
https://archive.org/web/ · Internet Archive
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character over the earlier Rubik’s Cube Mini disclosed through EUTM No 9 975 681, and also invoked technical-function and trademark-conflict grounds.
- ›The holder argued the design formed a novel complex sculpture of two diagonally joined cube-like bodies, denied technical-function exclusivity, and noted the earlier EUTM had been challenged.
- ›The Division found the earlier cube design sufficiently disclosed under Article 7, considered designer freedom almost unlimited for play cubes, and treated the repeated cube appearance as decisive for the overall impression.
- ›The application succeeded under Article 25(1)(b) with Articles 4(1) and 6 CDR; the RCD was declared invalid and the holder was ordered to pay costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberBirgit FILTENBORG
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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| Case | Date | Outcome | Shared grounds | Locarno | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000010584 vs East Sheen Industrial Co., Ltd. | 2019-11-11 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b), Art 25(1)(e) | 21 | 10 |
| 000010585 vs East Sheen Industrial Co., Ltd. | 2019-11-11 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b), Art 25(1)(e) | 21 | 10 |
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| 000104541 vs Guangming CHEN | 2019-07-05 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b), Art 25(1)(e) | 21 | 10 |
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| 000010880 vs BRICK TOY SRL | 2018-07-10 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b), Art 25(1)(e) | 21 | 10 |
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