Invalidity · first instance · 2021-11-11
000114141
Contested design: 002138008-0031
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, RCD No 0021380080031 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 0021380080031 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
VDS Czmyr Kowalik Spółka Komandytowavia PDF extraction
Poland (PL)
ul. Łagiewnicka 4a, 41608 Świętochłowice, Poland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Material & Technology s.r.o.via PDF extraction
Czechia (CZ)
Čs. Odboje 1044, 518 01 Dobruška, Czech Republic
Represented by
Milan Škoda
Prior art cited (2)
Griffwerk 'Frame' door handle variant
griffwerk.de; baulinks.de · disclosed 2010-10-20
Additional prior design with rounded edges similar to the contested design
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the contested door-handle design lacked individual character over earlier minimalist handle designs, especially prior design D3.
- ›Holder argued the contested design remained individually distinctive because its rounded corners, rounded transition, slim rear edge and rosette differentiated it from the prior design.
- ›The Division held late-filed D9 inadmissible, accepted D3 as disclosed online before the filing date, and found broad designer freedom for door handles.
- ›It found the shared minimalist cuboid shape, proportions and frontal inlay dominated the overall impression, so the rounded edges did not create individual character.
- ›The invalidity application was upheld, the contested RCD was declared invalid in full, and the holder was ordered to pay EUR 750 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- 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 ↗ |
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