Invalidity · first instance · 2023-11-06
000121566
Contested design: 008320014-0005
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(it)
1. La domanda di dichiarazione di nullità è accolta. 2. Il disegno o modello comunitario registrato n. 008320014-0005 è dichiarato nullo. 3. Il titolare sopporta l’onere delle spese, fissate a 750 EUR.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Vimar S.p.A.via PDF extraction
Italy (IT)
Viale Vicenza, 14, 36063 Marostica (Vicenza) Italia
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
4 Box s.r.l.via PDF extraction
Italy (IT)
Via Brunelleschi, 16, 20146 Milano Italia
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
Electrical socket shown in the bticino catalog as an earlier design/disclosure.
HC4140/16W · bticino catalog “Valore superiore su tutta la linea” (dated 2005)
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and at least lack of individual character based mainly on an earlier electrical-socket design disclosed in a 2005 bticino catalog.
- ›The holder argued the outer border should be disregarded, the socket shape was not fully dictated by technical standards, the design remained new and individual, and the application should be rejected.
- ›The Division admitted the holder’s late observations, accepted the bticino catalog as a valid prior disclosure under Article 7(1), and found the claimed technical-constraint evidence insufficient to exclude the socket shape from comparison.
- ›Comparing the protected features, the Division found only minor positional and dimensional differences and held that the contested design produced the same overall impression on the informed user.
- ›The application was upheld, the contested design was declared invalid for lack of individual character, and costs were awarded against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI - ALOISI
- MemberEnrico D’ERRICO
- MemberJessica N. LEWIS
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| itItalian | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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