Invalidity · first instance · 2023-09-18
000120200
Contested design: 005657723-0001
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is rejected, and the applicant is ordered to pay the holder’s costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text(es)
Se desestima la solicitud de declaración de nulidad del modelo comunitario registrado n.º 005657723-0001. Se condena al solicitante a que sufrague las costas del titular, fijadas en 400 EUR.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Prior art cited (3)
Paulistano chair shown on the applicant's archived website
http://www.objekto.fr/ · Wayback Machine · disclosed 2004-10-14
Paulistano chair shown in the applicant's 2004 catalog
Enveloppe Soleau INPI/10/06/2005; Maison et Objet 2004 catalog · INPI
Paulistano chair appearing in style magazines
Elle Decoration (November 2007); L’Express (September 2010) · Elle Decoration; L’Express · disclosed 2007-11-01
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character, relying on the earlier Paulistano chair and arguing both chairs created the same overall impression.
- ›The holder replied that the similarities were limited to the basic rocking-chair concept and that geometry, proportions, backrest angle, and cover shape created a different overall impression.
- ›The Division accepted magazine publications as prior disclosure but rejected the website images and catalog evidence for comparison or proof of disclosure.
- ›Despite broad designer freedom for chairs, the Division found the rounded frame, more inclined profile, and cover differences sufficient to produce a different overall impression.
- ›The invalidity application was therefore rejected and the applicant was ordered to bear the holder’s costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila CELISOVA
- MemberRebecca Santana Davies
- MemberBenjamin VAN Bavel
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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