Invalidity · first instance · 2025-09-30
000128200
Contested design: 015053498-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld; the contested EU design is declared invalid, and the holder must pay EUR 750 in costs.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered EU design No 015053498-0001 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)
Huixian City, Henan Province, China
Represented by
Greg Robert Sach
Prior art cited (1)
Stands and holders for household appliances and utensils
EU design registration No 015029109-0001 · EU Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2023-08-07
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›Applicant argued the contested washing-machine accessory design lacked novelty and individual character because an earlier EU design had been published before the filing date.
- ›Holder said the grounds were unsubstantiated, disclosure under Article 7 was not shown, designer freedom was limited, and the visible differences created a different overall impression.
- ›Division held publication of EU design No 015029109-0001 in the EU Designs Bulletin on 07/08/2023 proved prior disclosure and treated designer freedom for the frame as at least average.
- ›Division found the shared rectangular frame, four corner blocks, parallel bars, and side grip dominated the overall impression; color and detail differences were minor, 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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