Invalidity · first instance · 2023-01-05
000117088
Contested design: 008639785-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 008639785-0001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Ricegrowers Limitedvia PDF extraction
AU
Yanco Avenue, Leeton, New South Wales 2705, Australia
Holder · RCD owner
’Глобал Райс’ Еоодvia PDF extraction
Bulgaria (BG)
район Възраждане, ул. Царибродска № 144, ет. 3, ап. 6, 1309 София, Bulgaria
Represented by
Hristo Plamenov Raychev
Prior art cited (1)
rice bag packaging with a plate of rice, vegetables and meat
Community design registration No 006620837-0001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2019-07-15
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character, relying on an earlier rice-bag design disclosed before the filing date.
- ›The holder argued the back view, banal shared packaging features, and regulatory and market constraints created a different overall impression and limited designer freedom.
- ›The Division found the earlier design was disclosed, the designer retained broad freedom, and the front views were almost identical in layout, imagery, decorations, and colours.
- ›Differences in transparency, colour vividness, and the unsubmitted prior back view did not alter the overall impression; the contested design lacked individual character.
- ›The invalidity application was upheld, the contested design was declared invalid, and costs were awarded against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberEnrico D’ERRICO
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
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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