Invalidity · first instance · 2022-07-19
000115523
Contested design: 002526699-0001
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity against Registered Community Design No 002526699-0001 is rejected.
Show verbatim operative text(fr)
La demande en nullité à l’encontre du dessin ou modèle communautaire enregistré nº 002526699-0001 est rejetée.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Delta-Sport Handelskontor GmbHvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Wragekamp 6, 22397 Hamburg, Allemagne
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Decathlon SEvia PDF extraction
France (FR)
Service Juridique PI 4, boulevard de Mons, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq France
Prior art cited (2)
French patent application for a full-face diving mask with snorkel
FR 2 720 050 - A1 · France · disclosed 1994-05-17
European patent concerning an identical mask with snorkel
EP 3 140 186 B1
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the mask design was dictated solely by technical function and lacked individual character over earlier patent disclosures, especially FR 2 720 050 and EP 3 140 186.
- ›Holder said visual and aesthetic considerations shaped the mask, produced witness statements and marketing material, and pointed to alternative full-face masks and a different overall impression from the French patent.
- ›The Division found the applicant had not proved that all essential features were exclusively dictated by technical function, given evidence of aesthetic choices in the frame, skirt, snorkel integration and overall appearance.
- ›It also held FR 2 720 050 was disclosed before filing but produced a different overall impression on the informed user, so the contested design retained individual character and the invalidity application was rejected.
Deciding panel
- MemberCarmen SÁNCHEZ PALOMARES
- MemberJessica N. LEWIS
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| frFrench | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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