Invalidity · first instance · 2022-05-17
000115085
Contested design: 005759149-0001
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 005759149-0001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Decora S.A.via PDF extraction
Poland (PL)
ul. Prądzyńskiego 24a, 63-000 Środa Wlkp., Poland
Holder · RCD owner
Adam Galas
Poland (PL)
Szafirowa 5, 16-400 Suwałki, Poland
Represented by
Prior art cited (2)
flooring trims
RCD No 005249034-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2018-05-24
'LARS' skirting board
Freshmail marketing email · disclosed 2017-05-24
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying mainly on earlier flooring-trim disclosures including RCD D1 and the LARS skirting board D2.
- ›The holder argued skirting boards are functional, all features remain visible, designer freedom is low, and the compared designs create different overall impressions.
- ›The Division found the contested design was not a component of a complex product under Article 4(2) and focused the merits analysis on individual character.
- ›It accepted disclosure of D1, gave greater weight to the visible front-wall configuration than recess details, and found the contested design created the same overall impression as D1.
- ›The application was upheld, the contested design was declared invalid, and costs were awarded against the holder.
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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