Invalidity · first instance · 2023-05-15
000118097
Contested design: 002014068-0003
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity of registered Community design No 0020140680003 is rejected. 2. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Reach Surgical, Inc
China (CN)
120 Xinxing Road, West Zone, Teda Tianjin, 300462 China
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Cilag GmbH International
Switzerland (CH)
Gubelstrasse 34, 6300 Zug, Switzerland
Represented by
Prior art cited (12)
pivoting anvil for surgical circular stapler
US patent application No 2014/0144969 A1 · US patent application publication
surgical instruments with electrodes
US patent No 8 453 906 B2 · US patent
surgical staple with integral pledget for tip deflection
US patent application No 2014/0144968 A1 · US patent application publication
circular surgical stapling instrument with anvil locking system
US patent application No 2010/0237132 A1 · US patent application publication · disclosed 2010-09-23
method of performing a pyloroplasty/pylorectomy using a stapler having a shield
US patent No 5 355 897 · US patent
sealing means for endoscopic surgical anastomosis stapling instrument
US patent No 5 533 661 · US patent
cutting blade for a surgical anastomosis stapling instrument
US patent No 6 193 129 B1 · US patent
circular stapler introducer with multi-lumen sheath
US patent application No 2011/0114697 A1 · US patent application publication · disclosed 2011-05-19
surgical stapling device for performing circular anastomoses
US patent application No 2006/0043148 A1 · US patent application publication
surgical stapling device
US patent application No 2006/0097025 A1 · US patent application publication
surgical stapler
US design patent No D 532 108 S · US design patent
circular stapler
US patent application No 2010/0084453 A1 · US patent application publication · disclosed 2010-04-08
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the contested surgical stapler design was solely technically dictated and alternatively lacked novelty and individual character over cited US patent disclosures.
- ›Holder argued visual design choices remained relevant, alternative stapler appearances existed, and the main cited disclosures fell within the grace period or were inadequately substantiated.
- ›The Division found the patent material did not show all appearance features were solely dictated by technical function, because comparable staplers displayed meaningful visual variation.
- ›The Division upheld the priority claim, disregarded key EES disclosures under Article 7(2), found no properly established earlier design defeating novelty or individual character, and rejected the application.
Deciding panel
- MemberRasa BARAKAUSKIENĖ
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
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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