Invalidity · first instance · 2022-05-31
000114502
Contested design: 007203252-0004
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must pay EUR 750 in costs.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 007203252-0004 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 of America
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
https://www.apple.com/de · Internet Archive / apple.com/de · disclosed 2019-04-03
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character, relying on its earlier Apple Watch design disclosed online before the filing date.
- ›The holder disputed EU disclosure of D1, argued limited designer freedom for smartwatches, and said strap colour and watch-face differences changed the overall impression.
- ›The Division accepted the Internet Archive evidence as a prior web disclosure and found the holder had not rebutted that it could become known to relevant EU circles.
- ›Given broad enough designer freedom and the highly similar shape, casing, button layout, and strap appearance, 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
- 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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