Invalidity · first instance · 2022-03-18
000114421
Contested design: 008147201-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested registered Community design 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. 008147201-0001 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
Audi AGvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Auto-Union-Str. 1, 85057 Ingolstadt, Germania
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
G.M.P. Group s.r.l.
Italy (IT)
Via Luigi Galvani 8-12, 24061 Albano Sant'Alessandro (BG) Italia
Represented by
Giulio Bonadio
Prior art cited (1)
wheel rims for vehicles
RCD No 006645644-0003 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2019-09-09
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity under Article 25(1)(b) CDR, arguing the contested wheel-rim design lacked novelty and at least individual character over earlier RCD No 006645644-0003.
- ›The holder argued the earlier RCD itself lacked novelty and individual character, the sector was crowded with limited designer freedom, the designs differed sufficiently, and Oslo litigation made EUIPO incompetent.
- ›The Division held publication of the earlier RCD in the Community Designs Bulletin proved disclosure under Article 7(1) CDR, regardless of the earlier design's alleged validity.
- ›Comparing the overall impressions, the Division found the shared spoke layout and fan-like appearance outweighed minor differences, so the contested design lacked individual character and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- MemberEnrico D’ERRICO
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI - ALOISI
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| itItalian | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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