Invalidity · first instance · 2020-12-11
000105480
Contested design: 005657897-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 350.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 005657897-0001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 350.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €350
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
KPB Healthcare Ltdvia PDF extraction
United Kingdom (GB)
RSS, M3 Trade Park, Manor Way, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9YA, United Kingdom
Holder · RCD owner
FBGC Limited
United Kingdom (GB)
Styring House Farm, Nr Givendale, York, York YO42 1TL, United Kingdom
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
ear wax removal kit / ear syringe with blue safety tip
EAR WAX REMOVAL KIT JB7113 / ASIN B00LNGIZWA · amazon.co.uk; ebay.com
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, focusing on the blue tip shown in the contested ear-syringe design.
- ›The holder argued the design had individual character because of its blue shade, logo, registration views, and allegedly limited designer freedom from technical constraints.
- ›The Division accepted prior web disclosure of the JB7113 ear wax removal kit and excluded only one inconsistent photo from the comparison.
- ›It found the logo, scale graphics, and any colour difference insignificant, so the contested design created the same overall impression as the prior design.
- ›The application was upheld in full, the RCD was declared invalid, and the holder was ordered to pay EUR 350 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- MemberLudmila ČELISOVA
- MemberAlvaro SESMA
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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