Invalidity · first instance · 2023-06-13
000119100
Contested design: 004156909-0001
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity against RCD No 004156909-0001 is rejected.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Der Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung des eingetragenen Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmusters Nr. 004156909-0001 wird zurückgewiesen.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs
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
Marc Barth
Prior art cited (1)
Schuhe (Clogs-Schuhe)
Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 003385913-0008 · Blatt für Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster · disclosed 2016-09-30
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character over earlier RCD D1 covering shoes, arguing both designs created the same overall impression.
- ›Holder argued the contested clog design had sufficient individual character and highlighted multiple differences in the upper, side vents, insole, strap, and outsole.
- ›The Division accepted D1 as disclosed, identified the informed user as a shoe consumer familiar with clogs, and found designer freedom generally unrestricted apart from basic footwear constraints.
- ›Despite some shared clog features, the Division considered the differences more striking than the similarities and found a different overall impression.
- ›The invalidity application was rejected and the applicant was ordered to bear the holder's costs, with no representation costs fixed.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIvanka IVANOVA
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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