Invalidity · first instance · 2024-04-04
000121478
Contested design: 009200009-0002
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity against Registered Community design No 009200009-0002 is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Der Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung des eingetragenen Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmusters Nr. 009200009-0002 wird zurückgewiesen. 2. Die Antragstellerin trägt die Kosten der Inhaberin, die auf 400 EUR festgesetzt werden.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Genuins Factoryvia PDF extraction
Spain (ES)
Juan de la Cierva 64, Parque Empresarial, 03203 Elche, Spanien
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Birkenstock IP GmbH
Germany (DE)
Burg Ockenfels, 53545 Linz am Rhein, Deutschland
Prior art cited (3)
open sandal design
RCD No 008535264-0009 · EUIPO online database · disclosed 2021-05-21
open sandal design
RCD No 008782486-0002 · EUIPO online database · disclosed 2021-12-14
Instagram posts showing an earlier sandal design
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity under Articles 25(1)(b), 4, 5 and 6 CDR, arguing the contested sandal design lacked novelty and individual character over D1, D2 and Instagram disclosure D3.
- ›The holder argued the contested design remained new and had individual character, and that disclosure of D3 on Instagram had not been proven.
- ›The Division accepted D1, D2 and D3 as disclosed, but found the contested design's contrasting strap construction and absence of a heel strap produced a different overall impression on the informed user.
- ›Because the earlier designs were neither identical to nor overall similar enough to the contested design, the invalidity application was rejected and costs were awarded to the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberIvanka IVANOVA
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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