Invalidity · first instance · 2022-06-03
000116468
Contested design: 004764686-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld; the contested RCD is invalid in its registered form but is maintained in the register in the amended form shown.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 004764686-0001 wird in der eingetragenen Form für nichtig erklärt. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 004764686-0001 wird in folgender geänderter Form im Register beibehalten:
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Worldfinest GmbHvia PDF extraction
Austria (AT)
Breitenleerstraße 255, 1220 Wien, Österreich
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Eitan Babadostowvia PDF extraction
Austria (AT)
Rossauer Lände 25/5, 1090 Wien, Österreich
Represented by
Stephan Winklbauer
Prior art cited (1)
stylised "VODKA AUSTRIA" mark for vodka
Unionsmarke Nr. 016708711 · EUIPO database · disclosed 2017-08-30
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested design lacked a clear, unitary subject matter under Article 3(a) and also used an earlier distinctive EU trade mark, creating a likelihood of confusion.
- ›The holder said the views consistently showed one bottle design, claimed consent for use of the mark, and requested maintenance in amended form after removing the words "VODKA AUSTRIA".
- ›The Invalidity Division rejected the non-design objection, finding the representations sufficiently coherent and the design clearly identifiable as one product.
- ›It upheld the Article 25(1)(e) ground because the design used a sign highly similar to the earlier EU trade mark for slightly similar goods, creating a likelihood of confusion.
- ›The design was invalidated as registered but maintained in amended form after deletion of the disputed word elements; costs were awarded against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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