Invalidity · first instance · 2022-05-31
000114482
Contested design: 007203252-0002
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
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 007203252-0002 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Apple Inc.via PDF extraction
United States (US)
One Apple Park Way, Cupertino, California 95014, United States
Holder · RCD owner
Guangzhou Xuanxin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
China (CN)
A101, 2F, No.38, Shengtang St. Industrial Zone, Cen Village, Tianhe Dist., Guangzhou City, People’s Republic of China
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
Apple Watch smartwatch with strap
https://www.apple.com/de ; https://www.apple.com/uk · Internet Archive / apple.com · disclosed 2017-11-01
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested smartwatch lacked individual character over its earlier Apple Watch design disclosed online before the filing date.
- ›The holder challenged disclosure in the European Union and argued that differences in the rim, crown, and colour created a different overall impression.
- ›The Invalidity Division accepted the Internet Archive evidence as prior disclosure under Article 7(1) CDR and found broad designer freedom for smartwatch appearance.
- ›Comparing the designs as a whole, the Division found their shared shape and configuration outweighed minor colour differences, so the contested design lacked individual character.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila CELISOVA
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
- MemberMichelle Marie DELLACHERIE
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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