Invalidity · first instance · 2020-11-12
000108202
Contested design: 002873877-0002
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 0028738770002 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Datecs OODvia PDF extraction
Bulgaria (BG)
4 Datecs Street, 1784 Sophia, Bulgaria
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Square, Inc.via PDF extraction
United States (US)
1455 Market Street, Suite 600, San Francisco CA 94103, United States of America
Represented by
Prior art cited (5)
media players
RCD No 0006440000004 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2007-02-06
portable smartcard reader
portable smartcard reader
portable smartcard reader
portable smartcard reader
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, arguing the design largely matched Apple prior designs and that the card-slot features were technically dictated.
- ›The holder said the application was insufficiently substantiated, disputed disclosure and technical-function objections, and argued the card-slot configuration created a different overall impression.
- ›The Division rejected the Article 8 objections, finding the slot features were not proven to be solely technically dictated and the disclaimed mini USB socket was irrelevant.
- ›Comparing the contested design with prior design D1, the Division found nearly identical overall shape and proportions, with only minor functional differences, so the contested RCD lacked individual character and was invalidated.
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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