Invalidity · first instance · 2023-11-10
000120410
Contested design: 001484604-0007
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity 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. 001486781-0007 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 for purchases of colour sample plates of various sizes
purchase orders and invoices
FIAT 500 colour search results for model years 2019-2021
https://www.vernicispray.com/cerca_colore.jsp · vernicispray.com
Wikipedia RAL colour scale page with alleged similar grey colours
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAL_(scala_di_colori) · Wikipedia · disclosed 2022-09-28
report on the popularity of automotive colours in 2021
Global Automotive 2021 Color Popularity Report · report publication
sheet showing selected Pantone colours
document showing eight rows of coloured sample plates
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested design was not a proper product and in any event lacked individual character because colour sample plates for cars had long been used in the trade.
- ›The holder replied that the protected product was automotive paint for plastic vehicle components, that the relevant appearance was defined by the deposited samples, and that the informed user would perceive a different overall impression.
- ›The Division held that the protected subject matter had to be assessed from the registered representation, which showed a coloured rectangular plate corresponding to decorative accessories for vehicles and therefore a product under Article 3.
- ›It also found that none of the alleged earlier designs or materials had been proven disclosed before filing, so the claim of lack of individual character failed under Article 7.
- ›The invalidity application was rejected in full, and the applicant was ordered to reimburse the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
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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