Invalidity · first instance · 2025-09-30
000128178
Contested design: 015044715-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested EU design 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 EU design No 015044715-0001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Junfeng Gaovia PDF extraction
China (CN)
Langzhong Township, Henan Province, China
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Changqing Yangvia PDF extraction
China (CN)
Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China
Represented by
Greg Robert Sach
Prior art cited (1)
Kiss Core washing machine stacking accessory sold on Amazon.de
ASIN B 0BL Z2Z QZJ · Amazon.de · disclosed 2022-11-10
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying in particular on an earlier Amazon.de disclosure of a washing-machine stacking accessory.
- ›The holder said the grounds were insufficiently substantiated, the informed user was well aware of similar designs, designer freedom was limited, and visible differences changed the overall impression.
- ›The Division accepted the Amazon printout as sufficient internet disclosure under Article 7 and treated the designer's freedom as at least average for this utilitarian product category.
- ›It found the shared square frame, central opening, corner blocks and connecting bars dominated the overall impression, so the contested design lacked individual character and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberEnrico D'ERRICO
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
- 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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