Invalidity · first instance · 2020-05-18
000106840
Contested design: 002874644-0004
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 0028746440004 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
THEBEN AGvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Postfach 56, 72394 Haigerloch, Germany
Holder · RCD owner
WENZHOU ALION ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.via PDF extraction
China (CN)
NO. 221 Weiershi Road, Yueqing Economic Development Zone, Yueqing, Wenzhou, Yueqing, Wenzhou 325600, People’s Republic of China
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
ELPA 8 chronometer
DM/058 928 · WIPO Hague Register · disclosed 2002-03-31
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, arguing the contested chronometer reproduced its earlier ELPA 8 design disclosed long before the filing date.
- ›The applicant relied on a 1983 Theben catalog and Hague registration DM/058 928 published on 31 March 2002; the holder filed no observations.
- ›The Invalidity Division accepted the earlier international design as disclosed under Article 7(1) CDR and found broad designer freedom for chronometers.
- ›The shared housing shape and stepped configuration outweighed a minor difference in the receptacles, so the contested RCD lacked individual character and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI - ALOISI
- MemberGailė SAKALAITĖ
- 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 ↗ |
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