Invalidity · first instance · 2020-05-22
000104924
Contested design: 001033450-0005
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder 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 0010334500005 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
ACCUMA S.P.A.
Italy (IT)
Via Eustachi, 46, 20129 Milano, Italy
Represented by
Giulio Enrico Sironi
Holder · RCD owner
ACCUMALUX
LU
Allée de la Poudrerie, 1899 Kockelscheuer, Luxembourg
Represented by
Prior art cited (12)
manual showing battery lid views and installation/operation details
AlphaCell OPzS Battery Installation and Operation Manual · AlphaCell · disclosed 2005-11-01
battery handbook
Hawker Batteries Handbook · Hawker · disclosed 1999-07-01
website screenshot showing battery lid product view
www.shopenergia.com · shopenergia.com
website screenshot showing battery lid product view
www.fmpancrazibatterie.it · fmpancrazibatterie.it
publication on battery containers and lids
Innovative containers and lids for OPzS-OpzV batteries · Accumalux Group sales director publication
storage battery cell cover patent
US1508926A · United States patent · disclosed 1924-09-16
handbook showing stationary battery lids with central and lateral holes
Battery Technology Handbook · Marcel Dekker Inc. · disclosed 2003-01-01
engineering manual for valve regulated recombination cells
SMG (OpzV) - Valve regulated Recombination Cells - Engineering manual · disclosed 2005-08-01
battery handbook of EXIDE Technologies
Handbook for Gel-VRLA-Batteries · EXIDE Technologies · disclosed 2003-12-01
technical manual showing battery lid view
OPzV Technical Manual · Hawker
catalog showing battery lid designs
PLASTAM · PLASTAM · disclosed 1998-01-01
catalog showing battery products including lids
Accuma · Accuma · disclosed 1999-01-01
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the battery lid's visible and hidden features were solely dictated by technical function and also invoked lack of novelty, lack of individual character, and non-visibility in use.
- ›The holder disputed the technical-function and visibility claims, relied on alternative designs and alleged aesthetic choices, and maintained that the contested RCD remained novel and had individual character.
- ›The Division found that the perimeter gap, crenulations and teeth, triangular reinforcements, peninsulas, and the three holes all served technical purposes proven by the evidence.
- ›Because the holder did not substantiate any non-technical visual considerations behind those features, the Division held the design invalid under Article 25(1)(b) in conjunction with Article 8(1) CDR and did not examine the other grounds.
Deciding panel
- MemberStephan HANNE
- MemberGailė SAKALAITĖ
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI - ALOISI
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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