Invalidity · first instance · 2024-09-24
000125815
Contested design: 006658613-0012
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 006658613-0012 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Vitra Collections AGvia PDF extraction
Switzerland (CH)
Klünenfeldstr. 22, 4132 Muttenz Switzerland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Lei Hou
China (CN)
No. 124, Hudong New Village, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
Represented by
Maria Ioannides
Prior art cited (2)
Eames Plastic Armchair DAW armchair
VITRA 'Home Stories', page 34 · VITRA 'Home Stories' catalogue
Eames Plastic Armchair DAW armchair
https://web.archive.org / https://www.vitra.com · Internet Archive · disclosed 2016-04-25
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying on the earlier Eames Plastic Armchair DAW and also invoking copyright-based protection.
- ›Holder filed no observations and did not contest disclosure, comparison, or the applicant's evidence.
- ›The Division accepted catalogue and Internet Archive evidence as sufficient disclosure of the earlier chair before the contested design's 31 July 2019 filing date.
- ›Given the designer's broad freedom for armchairs, the minor leg-tube difference did not alter the overall impression created by the otherwise highly similar designs.
- ›The Division found a lack of individual character under Article 6(1)(b) CDR, upheld the application, declared the design invalid, and awarded costs against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberEnrico D'ERRICO
- MemberEmmanuel COLLIN
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| esSpanish | human translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| frFrench | human translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| itItalian | human translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deDeutsch (de) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| enEnglish | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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