Invalidity · first instance · 2024-08-23
000122835
Contested design: 002827675-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity of registered Community design No 002827675-0001 is rejected. 2. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Schäfer Brand Distribution GmbHvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Industriestraße 28, 56307 Daufenbach, Germany
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Travel Blue Limited
United Kingdom (GB)
Suite 13 Building 6 Croxley Park Hatters Lane, Watford, Middlesex WD18 8YH, United Kingdom
Prior art cited (2)
travel pillow
US D522,300 S · United States design patent · disclosed 2006-06-06
Cabeau Evolution Pillow travel pillow with portable bag
https://www.amazon.de; ASIN B004ZIDXK2 · Amazon.de · disclosed 2012-11-14
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character over D1 and D2, arguing the standard neck-pillow form left only minor differences and the storage compartment did not change the overall impression.
- ›Holder argued D1 and D2 differed materially in contours, side walls, closures, and storage features, so neither prior design created the same overall impression as the contested design.
- ›The Division accepted disclosure of D1 and D2 but treated later-invoked D3-D10 material as inadmissible because it expanded the subject matter beyond the application filed.
- ›The Division found the shared semicircular form was standard for neck pillows, while the contour, zipper, bag, pocket, and closure differences were significant; the design remained novel and had individual character, so the application was rejected.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberChiara BORACE
- MemberEnrico D’ERRICO
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| deGerman | human translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| esSpanish | human translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| itItalian | human translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| frfrançais (fr) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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