Invalidity · first instance · 2022-10-18
000115911
Contested design: 000222070-0009
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld; Registered Community design No 000222070-0009 is declared invalid.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. 2. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 000222070-0009 wird für nichtig erklärt.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Alcom International GmbHvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Ernst-Abbe-Str. 3, 72770 Reutlingen, Deutschland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Wolfgang Rixenvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Friedenstr. 107-109, 42699 Solingen, Deutschland
Represented by
Prior art cited (4)
German design for a profile bar / building material
M8904902-0001 · Germany
Paletti profile bar design
Paletti catalog April 2001 · Paletti Profilsysteme GmbH & Co. KG · disclosed 2001-04-01
Paletti profile bar design
Paletti catalog April 2002 · Paletti Profilsysteme GmbH & Co. KG · disclosed 2002-04-01
Paletti profile bar design
Paletti catalog April 2004 · Paletti Profilsysteme GmbH & Co. KG · disclosed 2004-04-01
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the contested profile-bar design lacked novelty and individual character over earlier designs D1 to D4, was invisible in normal use as a component part, and was excluded by Articles 8(1) and 8(2).
- ›Holders said the design was new and individual, included aesthetic choices beyond technical function, remained visible in some uses, and in any event formed part of a modular system under Article 8(3).
- ›The Division found Article 4(2) inapplicable because the profile cross-section could remain visible in intended use, and it rejected the objections based on purely technical function and must-fit features.
- ›Relying on Paletti catalog disclosure D2, the Division held the contested design created no different overall impression and therefore lacked individual character under Article 6(1)(b), so the design was invalidated in full.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberIvanka IVANOVA
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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