Invalidity · first instance · 2023-07-27
000119258
Contested design: 000972385-0012
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Der Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung des eingetragenen Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmusters Nr. 000972385-0012 wird zurückgewiesen. 2. Die Antragstellerin trägt die Kosten der Inhaberin, die auf 400 EUR festgesetzt werden.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Crocs, Inc.via PDF extraction
United States (US)
13601 Via Varra, Broomfield Colorado 80020, Vereinigte Staaten
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
HSM Schuhmarketing GmbH
Germany (DE)
Werksstr. 15, 45527 Hattingen, Deutschland
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
earlier clog design
Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 000859400-0003 · EUIPO eSearch database / Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2008-03-11
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character over earlier RCD No 000859400-0003.
- ›The holder argued the contested clog design created a different overall impression and retained individual character despite similarities typical of clogs.
- ›The Division accepted disclosure of the earlier RCD, identified the informed user as a footwear or clog user, and found the designer's freedom relatively broad.
- ›It held the many visible differences in the upper, sole, strap, and hole arrangement outweighed the similarities, so the contested design had individual character.
- ›The invalidity application was rejected and the applicant was ordered to pay EUR 400 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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