Invalidity · first instance · 2021-11-30
000110046
Contested design: 006385068-0002
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must pay EUR 750 in costs.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 0063850680002 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Profplastvia PDF extraction
Poland (PL)
Stary Węgrzynów 39, 28350 Słupia Jedrzejowska, Poland
Represented by
Anna Maja Sokołowska-Ławniczak
Holder · RCD owner
Nuitech LTDvia PDF extraction
United Kingdom (GB)
C220d Trident Business Centre 89, Bickersteth Road, London, City of London SW17 9SH, United Kingdom
Prior art cited (1)
Double plastic clamping profiles for pocket air filters
PF1B2 and PF1C2 · Applicant website PDF catalogue, Wayback Machine archive, and sales invoice to Kluge Luftfilter GmbH
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant sought invalidity because its own PF1B2 and PF1C2 clamping profiles had been marketed and disclosed before the contested design's 26/04/2019 filing date.
- ›Holder argued the application wrongly relied on Article 25(1)(d), the profiles' shared features were technically constrained, the differences in shape and colour changed the overall impression, and disclosure evidence was insufficient.
- ›The Division found the application was clearly based on Article 25(1)(b), the prior PF1B2/PF1C2 profile was sufficiently disclosed by catalogue, invoice, and archived web evidence, and designer freedom was at least average.
- ›Comparing the designs as a whole, the Division held the similarities in overall shape, arms, and hooks outweighed minor finishing and colour differences, so the contested design lacked individual character and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila CELISOVA
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
- MemberRasa BARAKAUSKIENE
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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