Invalidity · first instance · 2023-07-27
000120880
Contested design: 008148738-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must pay EUR 750 in costs.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design 008148738-0001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Hi-Tech Automotive (Pty) Ltdvia PDF extraction
ZA
106 Park Drive St Georges, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape 60001, South Africa
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
AC Cars Ltd
CY
Maria House, Avlonos Street, 1075 Nicosia, Cyprus
Prior art cited (1)
Vehicle bodywork
Community design registration No 000863097-0002 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2008-03-28
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested car design lacked novelty and individual character because the earlier Ace vehicle was already public and the contested design corresponded to it.
- ›The applicant relied in particular on a witness statement and Exhibit NP14, a copy of prior Community design registration No 000863097-0002 for vehicle bodywork.
- ›The holder filed no observations, so the Division assessed the case first under individual character and accepted publication of the prior RCD in the Community Designs Bulletin as disclosure.
- ›The Division found the contested design almost identical to the prior design, with only minor accessory or color differences, so it lacked individual character and was declared invalid.
Deciding panel
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
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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