Invalidity · first instance · 2024-03-24
000121178
Contested design: 009046501-0002
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 0090465010002 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Roomart GmbHvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Ebersdorf 41, 90599 Dietenhofen, Germany
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Wasombouw B.V.via PDF extraction
Netherlands (NL)
Frankrijkstraat 3, 5171PR Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
Amazon listing for the product “The Washing Tower”, a cabinet for a washing/drying machine
ASIN B07 317 C7LZ · Amazon.de · disclosed 2017-03-05
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the contested washing-machine cabinet lacked novelty and individual character over an earlier Amazon-disclosed “Washing Tower” design from 5 March 2017.
- ›Holder argued the design remained new and distinctive because of its cleaner finish, wider proportions, concealed beams, black colour scheme, material choices and limited design freedom.
- ›The Division accepted the Amazon screenshots as sufficient disclosure under Article 7(1) and found the designs shared the same overall shape, proportions and key components.
- ›Minor differences in finish, handles, colour and concealed beams did not alter the overall impression, so the contested design lacked individual character and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberRasa BARAKAUSKIENĖ
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
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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