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, Incvia PDF extraction
China (CN)
120 Xinxing Road, West Zone, Teda Tianjin, 300462 China
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Cilag GmbH Internationalvia PDF extraction
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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