Invalidity · first instance · 2024-03-17
000120178
Contested design: 009019045-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must bear EUR 750 in costs.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 0090190450001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
BJS Creative Sp. z o.o.via PDF extraction
Poland (PL)
Kiełmina 63, 95010 Stryków, Poland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Jerzy Pietrucha BUSINESS ASSETS
Poland (PL)
Przemysłowa 10, 98235 Błaszki, Poland
Represented by
Prior art cited (2)
open-top culvert
RCD No 0052534160001 · Community Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2018-05-18
open-top culvert
RCD No 0075470700001
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of individual character over earlier RCDs D1 and D2, arguing the contested open-top culvert had essentially the same form, proportions, and overall appearance.
- ›The holder disputed the informed user and designer freedom, claimed D2 could not be relied on after invalidation, sought suspension pending an attack on D1, and argued technical constraints made the differences decisive.
- ›The Division refused suspension, held disclosure of D1 was proven by its bulletin publication, and found the designer retained broad freedom despite the product’s technical function.
- ›It concluded that the shared V-shaped gutter channel and wing configuration dominated the overall impression, the differences were minor or largely hidden in use, and the contested design lacked individual character.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberRasa BARAKAUSKIENÉ
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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