Invalidity · first instance · 2023-05-23
000119159
Contested design: 002616920-0004
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD 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. 002616920-0004 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
Crocs, Inc.via PDF extraction
United States (US)
13601 Via Varra, Broomfield Colorado 80020 Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
HSM Schuhmarketing GmbH
Germany (DE)
Werksstr. 15, 45527 Hattingen, Deutschland
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
clog footwear design
Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster 1874280-0001 · EUIPO design database · disclosed 2011-06-21
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character based on earlier disclosed RCD D1.
- ›Holder argued the contested design had individual character and relied on an earlier EUIPO invalidity decision it said was comparable.
- ›The Division found D1 validly disclosed before the filing date and considered designer freedom for clogs largely unrestricted.
- ›It held the differences from D1 were minor and did not change the overall impression on the informed user.
- ›The application was upheld, the contested design was declared invalid, and costs were awarded against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberIvanka IVANOVA
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberWolfgang SCHRAMEK
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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