Invalidity · first instance · 2023-11-17
000120881
Contested design: 008005813-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must pay the holder’s costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity of registered Community design No 0080058130001 is rejected. 2. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Ningbo Vasa Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.via PDF extraction
China (CN)
Floor 2, Bld 4, Maojiacao Industrial Area Qianzhou Shounan Sub-District, Yinzhou, Ningbo, China
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Electronic Controls Companyvia PDF extraction
United States (US)
833 - W. Diamond, Boise, Idaho 83705, United States
Represented by
Prior art cited (2)
alarm lights
Community design No 0069641930001 · DESIGNview / Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2019-10-14
warning light design shown in a YouTube video
YouTube video "mpower Fascia Installation Espanol" · YouTube · disclosed 2016-09-27
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character over earlier RCD D1 and YouTube-disclosed D2, arguing the contested grooves were solely functional under Article 8(1).
- ›Holder argued the flexible curved appearance, proportions, end shapes and emitter presentation created a different overall impression, and functional features could still contribute visually.
- ›The Division accepted D1 and the cited YouTube still as prior disclosures, but disregarded extra images not linked to the video and left the technical-function issue open.
- ›Comparing the designs holistically, the Division found clear differences in the base, transparent cover, end portions and emitters, so the contested design retained individual character.
Deciding panel
- MemberEnrico D’ERRICO
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
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 ↗ |
Locarno classes
Similar decisions
Ranked by shared Locarno class + shared legal grounds + matching outcome. Click a case to view full detail.
| Case | Date | Outcome | Shared grounds | Locarno | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000119920 vs Meyn Beheer B.V. | 2023-11-27 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 10 | 7 |
| 000120882 vs ELECTRONIC CONTROLS COMPANY | 2023-11-17 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 10 | 7 |
| 000130127 vs ALBOR BOGDAN NIEDBAŁA | 2026-01-07 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 10 | 5 |
| 000130161 vs ALBOR BOGDAN NIEDBAŁA | 2026-01-07 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 10 | 5 |
| 000125988 vs ALEKSANDRA MACIĄGOWSKA - FLEXISTYLE | 2025-07-11 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 10 | 5 |
| 000125316 vs ENGO CONTROLS SPÓŁKA Z OGRANICZONĄ ODPOWIEDZIALNOŚCIĄ, SPÓŁKA KOMANDYTOWA | 2025-06-16 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 10 | 5 |
| 000127515 vs Changzhou Fengxue Network Technology Co., Ltd. | 2025-06-10 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 10 | 5 |
| 000127458 | 2025-04-15 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 10 | 5 |