Invalidity · first instance · 2024-07-09
000122634
Contested design: 004691376-0005
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 004691376-0005 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Mieszko S.A.via PDF extraction
Poland (PL)
Aleje Jerozolimskie 181, 02222 Warsaw, Poland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Vobro Spółka z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością Spółka Komandytowavia PDF extraction
Poland (PL)
ul. Podgórna 78, 87300 Brodnica, Poland
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
'Frutti di Mare' ballotin confectionery box design shown in Food from Poland issue 27/2017
https://foodfrompoland.pl/wydanie/year,2017/eid,174/ · Food from Poland magazine / foodfrompoland.pl / Issuu.com · disclosed 2017-01-27
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the contested praline-box design lacked individual character because the same design had been publicly disclosed online in Food from Poland more than 12 months before filing.
- ›Holder challenged the internet evidence as incomplete, unreliable, insufficiently dated and illegible, and argued any differences in colour and elements could change the overall impression.
- ›The Division accepted the supplemented magazine and website evidence, found disclosure proven by 27 January 2017, and held the grace period inapplicable because disclosure predated filing by more than 12 months.
- ›Comparing the ballotin boxes, the Division found only minor differences in shade and added card, concluded the same overall impression on the informed user, and declared the design invalid.
Deciding panel
- MemberEnrico D'ERRICO
- MemberIneta GALUBICKE
- MemberEmmanuel COLLIN
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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