Invalidity · first instance · 2023-06-21
000121103
Contested design: 007723168-0004
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 007723168-0004 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Plasticos Inden, S.L.via PDF extraction
Spain (ES)
C/ Avila, 6 - P.I. Alfaç III, 03440 Ibi (Alicante), Spain
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
José Joaquim Durães
Portugal (PT)
Rua do Seixo, n.º 229, 4860 064 Arco de Baúlhe, Portugal
Represented by
Abel Dário Pinto de Oliveira
Prior art cited (2)
Screenshots showing identical white electric candles from the Facebook account of Chinese manufacturer Hunk Mou
Facebook · disclosed 2016-06-17
Screenshot showing one white electric candle from the Facebook account of Chinese manufacturer Hunk Mou
Facebook · disclosed 2016-06-07
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested electric candle design lacked novelty and individual character because the same design had already been disclosed by a Chinese manufacturer before filing.
- ›The holder was invited to respond but filed no observations and did not challenge the applicant's disclosure evidence.
- ›The Division accepted the Facebook screenshots as prior disclosure under Article 7(1) CDR and found the prior design's essential features sufficiently visible.
- ›Given the designer's high freedom and the same overall candle shape and melted-wax appearance, the contested design created no different overall impression and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila CELISOVA
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- 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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