Invalidity · first instance · 2023-06-05
000120389
Contested design: 009184336-0003
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must pay EUR 750 in costs.
Show verbatim operative text
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. Registered Community design No 009184336-0003 is declared invalid. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Louis Vuitton Malletiervia PDF extraction
France (FR)
2 Rue du Pont-Neuf, 75001 Paris France
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Wenzhou Shengchu Trading Co., Ltd.
China (CN)
East End of Room 402, 4F, Xinju, Guanghuaqiao Road, Lucheng District, Wenzhou City, China
Represented by
André Guerreiro Rodrigues
Prior art cited (1)
Louis Vuitton sunglasses shown in a Forbes article
https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephdeacetis/2019/05/29/fathers-day-gift-guide-the-best-sunglasses-with-modern-flair-and-sophisticated-style/?sh=2901ec9648a9 · Forbes · disclosed 2019-05-29
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the contested sunglasses lacked novelty and individual character because nearly identical Louis Vuitton sunglasses had been publicly disclosed since May 2019.
- ›The holder filed no observations and did not contest disclosure of the earlier design or the asserted similarities.
- ›The Division accepted the Forbes article and URL as sufficient internet disclosure under Article 7(1) and found broad designer freedom for sunglasses.
- ›Because both designs created the same overall impression through the same square rims, dark lenses, gold top-bar lines and temple features, the design lacked individual character.
- ›The application was upheld, the contested design was invalidated in full, and the holder was ordered to bear fixed costs of EUR 750.
Deciding panel
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- MemberRasa BARAKAUSKIENĖ
- MemberIneta GALUBICKE
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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