Invalidity · first instance · 2022-08-02
000116327
Contested design: 004031201-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested Registered Community Design No. 004031201-0001 is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. 2. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 004031201-0001 wird für nichtig erklärt. 3. Die Inhaberin trägt die Kosten, die auf 750 EUR festgesetzt werden.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Light Tec Limitedvia PDF extraction
Hong Kong (HK)
Unit 908-910, 9/F, Prosperity Center, 25 Chong Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
DecoTrend GmbH
Germany (DE)
zur Drehscheibe 5, 92637 Weiden, Deutschland
Prior art cited (2)
foldable lantern
US Patent No. 1,653,206 · United States patent publication · disclosed 1927-12-20
three-dimensional star decoration / lighting device
German design No. 402009000767-0002 · DPMA Register / DPMA-Designblatt · disclosed 2009-04-24
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character, arguing that the contested light-chain star design was anticipated in overall impression by earlier disclosures, especially German design D2.
- ›The holder contended that the contested design differed in structure, number and geometry of rays, symmetry, and cable arrangement, and argued that the applicant's combination of prior features was legally irrelevant.
- ›The Division found D2 was validly disclosed before the filing date, identified a broad degree of design freedom, and held that the shared red-yellow color scheme, star structure, proportions, and overall geometry dominated the comparison.
- ›The informed user would notice some differences, but they were minor compared with the common features, so the contested design lacked individual character and was declared invalid in full.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIvanka IVANOVA
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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