Invalidity · first instance · 2022-02-10
000116689
Contested design: 008478697-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must pay the applicant's costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 0084786970001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the applicant’s costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Lenka Paulenkovávia PDF extraction
Czechia (CZ)
Trpišov 95, 53821 Slatiňany, Czech Republic
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Martin Klíma
Czechia (CZ)
Velké Karlovice 858, 756 06 Velké Karlovice, Czech Republic
Represented by
Petr Žižka
Prior art cited (1)
the tallest 'Rain Sound Pillar' instrument shown in the archived web-page images
https://www.soundtravels.co.uk/ · Internet Archive / soundtravels.co.uk · disclosed 2020-11-27
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested musical-instrument design lacked novelty and individual character in light of earlier Rain Sound Pillar designs disclosed online before the filing date.
- ›The holder, although invited to respond, filed no observations in the invalidity proceedings.
- ›The Division accepted the archived website evidence as prior disclosure and compared the contested design with the tallest prior instrument shown as D1.
- ›It found the shared hexagonal shape, proportions, and wood-and-cork material combination decisive, with the remaining differences too minor to alter the overall impression.
- ›The application was upheld because the contested design lacked individual character under Article 6(1)(b) CDR.
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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