Invalidity · first instance · 2022-02-07
000114629
Contested design: 005134988-0005
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(it)
1. La domanda di dichiarazione di nullità è accolta. 2. Il disegno o modello comunitario registrato n. 005134988-0005 è dichiarato nullo. 3. Il titolare sopporta l’onere delle spese, fissate a 750 EUR.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
TotalEnergies SEvia PDF extraction
France (FR)
2 place Jean Millier, La Défense 6, 92400 Courbevoie, Francia
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
S.I.RA.L. S.p.A.
Italy (IT)
Via Boscofangone Zona Industriale Asi Frazione Nola-Marigliano, 80035 Nola (Na), Italia
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
canister for liquids
French design No 043409-0001 · French Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2008-07-25
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying chiefly on earlier French design No 043409-0001 for a canister.
- ›The holder argued the similarities reflected sector best practices and functional constraints, that labeling avoided confusion, and that the dispute had become moot after its sublicense ended.
- ›The Division held the case was not moot because the validity of the contested RCD remained at issue and found the alleged technical constraints were not proven by the holder's evidence.
- ›Comparing the designs, the Division found the same overall rectangular canister shape, handle, and spout arrangement, with only minor differences insufficient to create a different overall impression.
- ›The application was upheld, the contested design was declared invalid for lack of individual character, and the holder was ordered to reimburse costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberMichele M BENEDETTI – ALOISI
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- MemberEnrico D’ERRICO
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| itItalian | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
Locarno classes
Similar decisions
Ranked by shared Locarno class + shared legal grounds + matching outcome. Click a case to view full detail.
| Case | Date | Outcome | Shared grounds | Locarno | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000131325 vs HaoJun Zhu | 2026-05-13 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 09 | 8 |
| 000131965 vs Jiaxing Xiaotian Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. | 2026-05-07 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 09 | 8 |
| 000130985 vs Suzhou Hongmao Import & Export Trade Co.,Ltd | 2026-03-11 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 09 | 8 |
| 000130944 vs Shenzhen Tajinxuan Trading Co.,Ltd. | 2026-02-13 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 09 | 8 |
| 000130968 vs Shenzhen Zhimei Chuangke E-commerce Co., Ltd. | 2026-02-05 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 09 | 8 |
| 000129539 vs MOHAMAR JAMOU | 2026-01-14 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 09 | 8 |
| 000130088 vs Mindful eCom OÜ | 2025-12-15 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 09 | 8 |
| 000129281 vs VERONIKI ECOGRUP SRL | 2025-11-04 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 09 | 8 |