Invalidity · first instance · 2022-12-01
000117129
Contested design: 007009303-0002
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested Community design is declared invalid, and the holder must pay costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. 2. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 007009303-0002 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
Balenciagavia PDF extraction
France (FR)
40 rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, Frankreich
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Birkenstock IP GmbH
Germany (DE)
Burg Ockenfels, 53545 Linz am Rhein, Deutschland
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
sandal
ASIN B07B4D8QXS · amazon.fr · disclosed 2018-03-01
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested sandal design lacked novelty or at least individual character in light of earlier disclosed sandal designs, especially D1 on amazon.fr.
- ›The holder denied that the earlier internet and catalog materials proved disclosure, challenged the reliability of Amazon listing dates, and maintained that the contested design was new and distinctive.
- ›The Division accepted D1 as disclosed on 2018-03-01, holding that the Amazon evidence had sufficient probative value and that the holder had not rebutted the presumption of disclosure.
- ›Comparing D1 with the contested design, the Division found the same overall impression of a two-strap plush sandal with a visible cork-like midsole; differences in fur texture were insufficient.
- ›The application was upheld, the contested RCD was invalidated in full, and the holder was ordered to pay EUR 750 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- 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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