Invalidity · first instance · 2022-04-08
000115725
Contested design: 008443980-0001
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 0084439800001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Crocs, Inc.via PDF extraction
United States (US)
13601 Via Varra, Broomfield Colorado 80020, United States of America
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
FLAMEshoes, s.r.o.
SK
Kružlov 292, 08604 Kružlov, Slovakia
Prior art cited (1)
beach shoes
RCD No 0026622880002 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2015-03-30
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying on earlier RCD No 0026622880002 for beach shoes.
- ›The holder invoked arguments from separate litigation concerning RCD No 0002570010001; after the applicant replied, the holder filed no further observations.
- ›The Division accepted publication of the earlier RCD in the Community Designs Bulletin as sufficient disclosure under Article 7(1) CDR.
- ›Comparing only disclosed features, the Division found the designs materially identical and any graphics or colour-shade differences immaterial, so novelty was absent.
- ›The application was upheld on Article 25(1)(b) in conjunction with Articles 4(1) and 5(1)(b) CDR, making examination of Article 6(1)(b) unnecessary.
Deciding panel
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- 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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