Invalidity · first instance · 2019-12-18
000106499
Contested design: 005845104-0007
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holders must pay the applicant's fixed costs of EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. Registered Community design No 005845104-0007 is declared invalid. The holders bear the applicant’s costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Memoryking GmbH & Co. KG
Germany (DE)
Päwesiner Weg 20, 13581 Berlin, Germany
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Creek Dannyvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Vale Science & Technology, Friedrichstr. 123, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Prior art cited (5)
USB cable
RCD 002198101-0004 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2013-06-11
Amazon.de listing for 'deleyCON Lightning' USB cable
ASIN B075ZSGDMM · Amazon.de · disclosed 2017-09-27
Amazon listing for 'deleyCON USB' USB cable
Amazon · disclosed 2017-06-13
Amazon listing for 'deleyCON Mini-USB' USB cable
Amazon · disclosed 2015-04-22
Amazon listing for 'deleyCON Micro-USB' USB cable
Amazon · disclosed 2017-06-12
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character over one earlier RCD and four earlier Amazon product disclosures for braided USB cables.
- ›The holders argued they had designed and sold the contested cable since 2014, claimed the design was unique, and updated Creek Danny's EU address when representation was challenged.
- ›The Division refused the applicant's late attempt to add the holders' own product as new prior art, accepted D2 as publicly disclosed on Amazon before filing, and found the holders had not rebutted that disclosure.
- ›Given broad designer freedom for USB cables, the shared proportions, connectors, braided cable and shell features created the same overall impression as D2; the application was upheld and the RCD declared invalid.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- MemberMichelle Marie DELLACHERIE
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 ↗ |
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