Invalidity · first instance · 2023-07-27
000118557
Contested design: 008533418-0002
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. 2. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 008533418-0002 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
Schneid Gesellschaft m.b.H.via PDF extraction
Austria (AT)
Gewerbering 16, 8054 Pirka, Österreich
Represented by
Stefan Lausegger
Holder · RCD owner
aqotec Holding GmbH
Austria (AT)
Vöcklatal 35, 4890 Weißenkirchen im Attergau, Österreich
Represented by
Clemens Thiele
Prior art cited (1)
SCHNEID word logo used on Facebook posts, an archived website, and a catalog
Facebook; schneid.at via Internet Archive; SCHNEID catalog
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the contested logo design lacked novelty because an identical SCHNEID logo had been publicly disclosed before 7 May 2021, and also invoked other invalidity grounds.
- ›Holder denied exact identity and sufficient publication, argued the cited materials were not design-relevant prior art, sought rejection, and requested a stay pending a related appeal.
- ›The Division refused a stay, accepted the Facebook posts, catalog, and Wayback capture as proof that D1 was publicly disclosed, and held a logo can qualify as an earlier design.
- ›Because the word elements were identical, the contested RCD lacked novelty; the invalidity application was upheld and the holder was ordered to pay EUR 750 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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