Invalidity · first instance · 2020-03-04
000105119
Contested design: 003373083-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity of registered Community design No 003373083-0001 is rejected. 2. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Aldi Stores Limited
United Kingdom (GB)
Holly Lane, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 2SQ, United Kingdom
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Hydratem8 Limitedvia PDF extraction
United Kingdom (GB)
Unit 6, Five Oaks Business Park, Geddinge Lane, Wootton, Near Canterbury CT4 6RY, United Kingdom
Represented by
Prior art cited (4)
article showing a water bottle and decal
https://gigglesgalore.net · gigglesgalore.net · disclosed 2015-05-26
bottle design shown in a US trademark record
US registered trademark No 5009743 · United States trademark record
Motivational Bottle offered on Amazon
ASIN B00ZS8CKG6 · Amazon.com · disclosed 2015-06-16
water bottle graphic offered on Etsy
https://www.etsy.com · Etsy · disclosed 2016-05-27
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character, relying on four earlier bottle graphics allegedly disclosed before the RCD filing date.
- ›Holder argued the contested design created a different overall impression, some features were technically constrained, and design protection covers visual appearance rather than concept.
- ›The Division accepted disclosure of D1, D3 and D4, rejected D2 as insufficiently proven, and found designer freedom limited only for fluid-level indication features.
- ›Differences in font, layout and level-indicating devices gave a different overall impression, so the application was rejected and the applicant was ordered to pay EUR 400.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- MemberMichelle Marie DELLACHERIE
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
Locarno classes
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