Invalidity · first instance · 2023-11-02
000119727
Contested design: 005809746-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 350.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 005809746-0001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 350.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €350
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Ecosauna Project OÜvia PDF extraction
EE
Õli, EE-63419 Valgjärve küla, Kanepi vald, Estonia
Holder · RCD owner
Ekomill OÜ
EE
Õli, Valgjärve küla, EE-63419 Kanepi vald Põlvamaa, Estonia
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
oval wooden building / oval-shaped wooden sauna
https://www.facebook.com/kelmolis/photos/pb.100054635521850.2207520000../505139396231084/?type=3 · Facebook · disclosed 2013-08-22
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying on earlier Facebook disclosures of an oval wooden sauna/building design.
- ›The holder disputed effective disclosure under Article 7(1) CDR, argued limited designer freedom for transportable buildings, and maintained that the design differences changed the overall impression.
- ›The Invalidity Division held that the Facebook post proved prior disclosure, and the holder did not show circumstances preventing the disclosure from becoming known to specialised circles in the EU.
- ›The Division found at least average designer freedom and concluded that the shared barrel-shaped form and overall appearance outweighed the differences in windows, doors, and detailing.
- ›The application was upheld because the contested design lacked individual character under Article 6(1)(b) CDR and was therefore invalid under Article 25(1)(b) CDR.
Deciding panel
- MemberEnrico D’ERRICO
- 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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