Invalidity · first instance · 2020-05-22
000104925
Contested design: 001033450-0006
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 0010334500006 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.via PDF extraction
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)
battery installation and operation manual showing stationary battery lids
AlphaCell OPzS Battery Installation and Operation Manual · AlphaCell
battery handbook
Hawker Batteries Handbook · Hawker
webpage screenshot showing a battery lid
www.shopenergia.com · shopenergia.com
webpage screenshot showing a battery lid
www.fmpancrazibatterie.it · fmpancrazibatterie.it
publication on battery containers and lids
Innovative containers and lids for OPzS-OpzV batteries · Accumalux Group-related publication
storage battery cell cover patent
US1508926A · United States patent · disclosed 1924-09-16
battery technology handbook
Battery Technology Handbook · Marcel Dekker Inc.
engineering manual for valve regulated recombination cells
SMG (OpzV) – Valve regulated Recombination Cells – Engineering manual
battery handbook
Handbook for Gel-VRLA-Batteries · EXIDE Technologies · disclosed 2003-12-01
technical manual showing a battery lid
OPzV Technical Manual · Hawker
catalog showing battery lid designs
PLASTAM · PLASTAM
catalog showing battery-related products including lids
Accuma · Accuma
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that all visible and non-visible lid features were technically dictated, and also challenged visibility, novelty and individual character with supporting annexes.
- ›The holder argued the lower face remains visible in use, denied exclusive technical functionality, pointed to alternative designs, and claimed limited designer freedom and some aesthetic choices.
- ›The Invalidity Division found each identified feature of the battery lid served only technical functions and that the holder produced no persuasive evidence of independent visual considerations.
- ›The application was upheld under Article 25(1)(b) in conjunction with Article 8(1), so the Division did not need to decide the other invalidity 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 ↗ |
Locarno classes
Similar decisions
Ranked by shared Locarno class + shared legal grounds + matching outcome. Click a case to view full detail.
| Case | Date | Outcome | Shared grounds | Locarno | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000129383 vs Wenzhou Haotian Electric Co., Ltd. | 2026-03-27 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 13 | 8 |
| 000129363 vs Wenzhou Haotian Electric Co., Ltd. | 2026-03-27 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 13 | 8 |
| 000131764 vs Dongguan Penghui New Energy Technology Co., Ltd | 2026-03-19 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 13 | 8 |
| 000129921 vs SHENZHEN EASTKING TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD | 2026-03-13 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 13 | 8 |
| 000131186 vs Electronic Way Technology Co.,Ltd | 2026-03-09 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 13 | 8 |
| 000128636 vs Guangzhou Quemou Trading Co., Ltd. | 2026-02-27 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 13 | 8 |
| 000128598 vs Guangzhou Quemou Trading Co., Ltd. | 2026-02-17 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 13 | 8 |
| 000129221 vs Shenzhen Guangtuo Da Lighting Co., LTD | 2026-01-27 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 13 | 8 |