Invalidity · first instance · 2023-12-05
000121794
Contested design: 004135762-0003
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
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 004135762-0003 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Weifen Hu
China (CN)
No. 88, Zhaoxu Village North, Huyuan Township, Lishui City, Jinyun County, Zhejiang Province, China
Represented by
Konstantin Tahtadjiev
Holder · RCD owner
Owen Tech (Suzhou) Electronic CO., LTD.
China (CN)
Room 204, Building 1, No.112 Yingchun south road, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China
Prior art cited (1)
letter boxes
UK design registration No 90038542980012 · UK Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2017-04-28
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character over earlier UK design registration No 90038542980012 for letter boxes.
- ›The applicant argued designer freedom was high and the earlier UK design had been disclosed before the contested filing date.
- ›The holder filed no observations in response to the invalidity application.
- ›The Division found the earlier UK registration was validly disclosed and that differences in square placement, holes, screws, and colour did not alter the same overall impression.
- ›The application was upheld and the contested design was declared invalid, with costs awarded against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberElisabetta FERRARO
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
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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