Invalidity · first instance · 2024-04-16
000121406
Contested design: 001012769-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested RCD is declared invalid, and the holder must pay EUR 750 in costs.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered Community design No 0010127690001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
EGL Coral Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnościąvia PDF extraction
Poland (PL)
ul. Fabryczna 5, 05084 Leszno koło Błonia, Poland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Schulpen Schuim Leiden B.V.
Netherlands (NL)
Zaalbergweg 17, 2314 XS Leiden, Netherlands
Represented by
Prior art cited (2)
household sponge
French design registration No 892545002 · INPI designs database; office Bulletin · disclosed 1990-03-09
design in the same classification category of products as the contested design
RCD No 0009466290002 · EUIPO Register · disclosed 2008-06-26
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested sponge design lacked novelty and individual character over earlier designs disclosed before the filing date.
- ›The holder said the designs created different overall impressions because the darker layer looked thinner and denser in the prior design and softer in the contested design.
- ›The Division found the French design was disclosed, the designer's freedom for household sponges was at least average, and tactile material claims were irrelevant to the visual comparison.
- ›Because the designs shared the same shape, two-layer composition, and very similar visual appearance, the contested design lacked individual character and was declared invalid.
Deciding panel
- MemberRasa BARAKAUSKIENĖ
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberIneta GALUBICKE
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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