Invalidity · first instance · 2025-06-25
000124769
Contested design: 004731347-0012
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 EU design No 004731347-0012 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
Airtechnic - Chatzoudis Etaireia Periorismenis Euthynisvia PDF extraction
GR
Nea Chalkidona, Athens, Greece
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
D.Ellinas Factory Products LTDvia PDF extraction
CY
Limassol, Cyprus
Represented by
Konstantina Diola
Prior art cited (4)
square diffuser
Titus 'flowbar' catalogue, page 30 · Titus downloadable PDF catalogue · disclosed 2014-08-12
Square Plaque diffuser
price - Air Distribution Engineering Guide, page 6 · Price Industries Limited engineering guide
square diffuser design
price - LINEAR DIFFUSERS AND GRILLS · Price Industries Limited PDF extract · disclosed 2016-08-24
other square ceiling diffuser designs
Google search results for 'square ceiling diffuser' · Google search results · disclosed 2018-02-28
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character over D1 to D3 and other diffuser designs, and argued the plenum feature was solely technical.
- ›The holder disputed disclosure of the prior designs, maintained the contested design had individual character, and argued its appearance included ornamental features beyond pure function.
- ›The Division found the square plenum performed a technical function but the overall diffuser appearance was not solely dictated by function, so Article 8(1) did not invalidate the design.
- ›The Division accepted disclosure only for D2, found clear visual differences between D2 and the contested design, and rejected the invalidity application with costs against the applicant.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberRasa BARAKAUSKIENĖ
- MemberBenjamin VAN BAVEL
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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