Invalidity · first instance · 2023-11-10
000120409
Contested design: 001484604-0006
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text(it)
1. La domanda di dichiarazione di nullità del disegno o modello comunitario registrato n. 001484604-0006 è respinta. 2. La richiedente sopporta l’onere delle spese del titolare, fissate a 400 EUR.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Palini Vernici s.r.l.via PDF extraction
Italy (IT)
Via San Gerolamo, 14, 25055 Pisogne (BS) Italia
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Ver Plast s.r.l.via PDF extraction
Italy (IT)
Via Palera, 50, 10040 Leini (Torino) Italia
Represented by
Prior art cited (6)
Orders and invoices dated between 2011 and 2019 for coloured sample plates of various sizes.
Website extract showing FIAT/Lancia 500 colours for model years 2019-2021.
https://www.vernicispray.com/cerca_colore.jsp · vernicispray.com
Wikipedia extract for the RAL colour scale.
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAL_(scala_di_colori) · Wikipedia · disclosed 2022-09-28
English-language report on the popularity of automotive colours in 2021.
Global Automotive 2021 Color Popularity Report · disclosed 2021-01-01
Word sheet showing selected Pantone colours 8404C, 8405C, 10392C, 10393C, 10398C and 10399.
Rows of coloured plates labelled A1-A3 through H1-H3.
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested RCD was merely a colour sample plate, not a protectable product, and in any event lacked individual character over earlier colour plates and colour references.
- ›The holder replied that the protected product was automotive paint for plastic car components, that the deposited samples defined the design, and that the informed user would perceive a different overall impression.
- ›The Division held that the scope of protection was determined by the published representation, which showed a coloured rectangular plate qualifying as a product/design under Article 3.
- ›The Division found no adequate proof that the cited earlier designs or disclosures had been made available to the public before filing, so the individual-character ground failed.
- ›The invalidity application was rejected in full and the applicant was ordered to pay EUR 400 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberEnrico D’ERRICO
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- MemberMichele M. BENEDETTI - ALOISI
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| itItalian | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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