Invalidity · first instance · 2024-09-26
000125795
Contested design: 006658613-0011
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 006658613-0011 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 (3)
Eames Plastic Chair DSW chair
VITRA 'Home Stories' · VITRA catalogue · disclosed 2018-01-01
Eames Plastic Chair DSW chair
VITRA 'Eames Plastic Chair' · French VITRA catalogue · disclosed 2015-01-01
Eames Plastic Chair DSW chair
@3docean_new Twitter post · Twitter · disclosed 2016-12-23
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested chair lacked novelty and individual character because it reproduced the earlier Eames Plastic Armchair DSW and also conflicted with copyright in that famous design.
- ›The holder filed no observations and left the invalidity application and evidence of prior disclosure undefended.
- ›The Division accepted the 2015 and 2018 VITRA catalogues and the 23 December 2016 Twitter post as sufficient proof of prior disclosure before the contested filing date.
- ›Given the broad design freedom for chairs, the shared shell seat, wooden legs, and metal connectors dominated minor connector differences, so the contested design lacked individual character.
- ›The application was upheld, the contested design was declared invalid, and the holder was ordered to pay EUR 750 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberEnrico D'ERRICO
- MemberEmmanuel COLLIN
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| esSpanish | human translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deDeutsch (de) | 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 ↗ |
Locarno classes
Similar decisions
Ranked by shared Locarno class + shared legal grounds + matching outcome. Click a case to view full detail.
| Case | Date | Outcome | Shared grounds | Locarno | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000131404 vs Jiahe Lin | 2026-05-21 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000128578 vs Washtower IP B.V. | 2026-05-19 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000128655 vs Washtower IP B.V. | 2026-05-19 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000128637 vs Washtower IP B.V. | 2026-05-19 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000128735 vs OÜ REPSTON | 2026-04-24 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000129372 vs Xuefang Cai | 2026-03-12 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000130973 vs Højer Møbler A/S | 2026-03-10 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000130975 vs Højer Møbler A/S | 2026-03-10 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |