Invalidity · first instance · 2022-01-28
000115205
Contested design: 008053607-0002
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity of registered Community design No 008053607-0002 is rejected. 2. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Serena S.r.l.via PDF extraction
Italy (IT)
Via Buzzi, 14, 20017 Rho, Italy
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
U-Earth Biotech Ltd
United Kingdom (GB)
38 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NG, United Kingdom
Represented by
Prior art cited (7)
U-Mask Model Two (Product) Red
http://www.it.u-maskstore.eu · holder website
Medical face masks, dust masks and protective face masks
Community design registration No 007879945-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2020-06-25
face mask shown in Chinese utility model
CN 205233539 · Chinese patent database · disclosed 2016-05-18
Pitta Mask
https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2019/03/04/best-pollution-masks-2019 · thebeijinger.com · disclosed 2019-03-04
Hotroad Maschera per la Bocca
https://www.amazon.it · amazon.it · disclosed 2020-04-09
Lavavel face mask
https://www.etsy.com · etsy.com · disclosed 2020-07-10
Adidas Face Mask / Face Cover
https://www.dezeen.com · dezeen.com · disclosed 2020-05-25
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying on the holder's website and six earlier mask disclosures and registrations.
- ›The holder disputed several disclosures, challenged untranslated or unclear internet evidence, and argued the informed user would notice meaningful design differences despite functional constraints.
- ›The Division rejected D1 as unproven disclosure but accepted D2 to D7 as prior art and found the contested mask's side pockets, seams, eyelets, and overall proportions created a different overall impression.
- ›Because the contested design retained individual character and novelty over the cited prior art, the invalidity application was rejected and costs were awarded against the applicant.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila CELISOVA
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI – ALOISI
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| deDeutsch (de) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| 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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