Invalidity · first instance · 2021-05-05
000110685
Contested design: 006371126-0002
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld and Registered Community design No 006371126-0002 is declared invalid.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 006371126-0002 is declared invalid.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Domino Polska Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością spółka komandytowavia PDF extraction
Poland (PL)
ul. Rzeźnicza 4, 58-200 Dzierżoniów, Poland
Represented by
Bartosz Szczepaniak
Holder · RCD owner
Schaffner Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością Spółka Komandytowa
Poland (PL)
ul. Floriańska 37/1, 31-019 Kraków, Poland
Represented by
Marek Mikosza
Prior art cited (8)
door handle
RCD No 003241124-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2016-06-29
door handle
RCD No 001283816-0002 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2011-07-19
door handle
RCD No 002405381-0077 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2016-08-17
door handle
RCD No 003241124-0002 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2016-06-29
door handle
RCD No 005302817-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2018-06-18
door handle
RCD No 005302841-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2018-06-18
Qubik and Gustaw door-handle designs disclosed in the applicant's catalogues, on Rothkin's website and catalogue, and by invoices
Domino catalogues; Rothkin website and catalogue; invoices
Chinese design patent for a door handle
CN303910749S · Chinese patent publication · disclosed 2016-11-16
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested door-handle design lacked novelty and individual character in light of earlier RCDs and further catalogue, website and invoice disclosures.
- ›The holder argued that designer freedom for door handles was narrow, market trends mattered, and the catalogue evidence was unreliable without notarial authentication.
- ›The Invalidity Division accepted disclosure of the earlier published RCDs, refused the late Chinese patent, and found broad designer freedom for the visible shape of door handles.
- ›Comparing the contested design with D1, the Division found only marginal differences and the same overall impression, so it invalidated the RCD and awarded costs against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila CELISOVA
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
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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