Invalidity · first instance · 2024-04-09
000121459
Contested design: 009200009-0014
Outcome
The invalidity application is refused, and the applicant must pay the proprietor's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
1. Refuses the application for a declaration of invalidity of registered Community design No 009200009-0014. 2. Orders the applicant to bear the costs incurred by the proprietor, which are fixed at EUR 400.
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, Spain
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Birkenstock IP GmbH
Germany (DE)
Burg Ockenfels, 53545 Linz am Rhein, Germany
Prior art cited (4)
sandals
RCD No 008535264-0009 · EUIPO online database · disclosed 2021-05-21
sandals
RCD No 008782486-0002 · EUIPO online database · disclosed 2021-12-14
sandals
RCD No 007550058-0013 · EUIPO online database · disclosed 2020-03-03
Instagram posts showing sandals
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character based on earlier designs D1 to D4, including Instagram disclosures.
- ›Holder argued the contested sandal design remained novel and individual, and contested proof of disclosure for the Instagram material.
- ›The Division found D1 to D4 had all been disclosed before filing, including D4 through Instagram posts not effectively rebutted by the holder.
- ›Despite disclosure, each earlier design created a different overall impression and was not identical, so the Article 6 and Article 5 grounds failed.
- ›The invalidity application was rejected and the applicant was ordered to bear EUR 400 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberALVARO SOCMERINO
- 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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