Invalidity · first instance · 2023-06-19
000119067
Contested design: 004156909-0006
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder is ordered to pay costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. 2. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 004156909-0006 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
Marc Barth
Prior art cited (1)
shoes
RCD No 002396457-0028 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2014-02-04
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character over earlier RCD D1 covering shoes.
- ›The holder argued the contested clog created a different overall impression, citing differences in openings, strap, edging, sole and an allegedly crowded market.
- ›The Division found D1 had been validly disclosed before the filing date and treated the informed user as a consumer familiar with clogs and able to compare them directly.
- ›It held the shared overall shape, cut-out heel, upper holes, edge trim, strap and round rivet outweighed the cited differences, so the contested design lacked individual character.
- ›The invalidity application was upheld, the design was declared invalid in full, and costs of EUR 750 were awarded against the holder.
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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