Invalidity · first instance · 2022-03-25
000114493
Contested design: 006308623-0001
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
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 006308623-0001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Nintendo of Europe GmbHvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Goldstreinstrasse 235, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Shenzhen CHT Technology CO., LTDvia PDF extraction
China (CN)
Building L, ShengGuang Industrial Area, NO.152 DongHuan Road, XinQiao Street, Bao'An District, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
Nintendo Switch game controllers
http://nintendo.com · Internet Archive · disclosed 2017-08-22
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the controller design lacked novelty and individual character over earlier game-controller designs, especially D1, and also alleged inconsistent views under Article 25(1)(a).
- ›Holder argued novelty and individual character were preserved because configuration and buttons differed, and claimed designer freedom was limited by technical requirements and screen placement.
- ›The Division accepted D1 as disclosed online before the filing date and found the designer's freedom broad despite functional elements in game control pads.
- ›It held that the contested design created the same overall impression as D1, lacked individual character, and was declared invalid with costs against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila CELISOVA
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
- MemberRasa BARAKAUSKIENE
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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