Invalidity · first instance · 2021-01-27
000110781
Contested design: 004120202-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear the applicant's costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 004120202-0001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the applicant’s costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Lafat komerc d.o.o.via PDF extraction
BA
Industrijska zona bb, Kalesija 57260, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
SC Biodome Europe Srlvia PDF extraction
Romania (RO)
Str. Florilor 4, sc. A, ap 20, Sighisoara, Judetul Mures, Sighisoara, Romania
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
combustion container for pellets in the Alfa Plam Grande pellet boiler
"Pellet Boiler Grande: Instruction for Use, Maintenance and Installation", Version 1.1/May 2014 · Alfa Plam instruction manual and related YouTube product review videos · disclosed 2014-05-01
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the combustion container was not visible during normal use and lacked novelty and individual character over Alfa Plam's earlier pellet-boiler disclosure.
- ›The holder argued the component was visible through a transparent cover, the manual and videos did not prove public disclosure, and the contested design had differentiating features and technical constraints.
- ›The Division found the visible features satisfied Article 4(2) CDR and that the manual, hyperlink, and YouTube screenshots together proved pre-filing disclosure of the prior design.
- ›The compared designs created the same overall impression on the informed user despite minor differences, so the RCD lacked individual character and was invalidated with costs against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
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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