Invalidity · first instance · 2022-06-30
000115426
Contested design: 002137190-0004
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity of registered Community design No 002137190-0004 is rejected. 2. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Guangdong Qman Toys Industry Co.,Ltdvia PDF extraction
China (CN)
Intersection of West Side of Xingye West 2nd Road and North Side of Xingye South Road, Laimei Industrial Zone, Chenghai District, Shantou, Guangdong 515000, China
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Lego A/S
Denmark (DK)
Aastvej 1, 7190 Billund, Denmark
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
'Plate, round 4+4 with Hole' building block design
www.bricklink.com · BrickLink
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity under Articles 25(1)(b), 6(1)(b) and 8(1) CDR, arguing the toy building block lacked individual character and that all of its features were dictated by technical function.
- ›The holder replied that the earlier design created a different overall impression, designer freedom was limited but not eliminated, and the contested design was not solely functional; it also invoked Article 8(3) CDR.
- ›The Division held the applicant had not proved that all essential appearance features were solely dictated by technical function, so the Article 8(1) ground failed.
- ›The Division accepted the BrickLink disclosure as prior art but found the differing number and arrangement of studs created a different overall impression, so the contested design retained individual character and the invalidity application was rejected.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
- MemberEnrico D’ERRICO
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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