Invalidity · first instance · 2025-11-03
000129201
Contested design: 002556217-0002
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Der Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung des eingetragenen EU-Geschmacksmusters Nr. 002556217-0002 wird zurückgewiesen. 2. Die Antragstellerin trägt die Kosten der Inhaberin, die auf 400 EUR festgesetzt werden.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Pfillo GmbHvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Düsseldorf, Deutschland
Represented by
Jörg Brettschneider
Holder · RCD owner
MCA furniture GmbH
Germany (DE)
Schieder-Schwalenberg, Deutschland
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
Website extracts concerning the 'Stressless' chair and product/company history
https://www.stressless.com/de-de/ueber-uns/stressless-geschichte · stressless.com
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, alleging the contested chair design was essentially a copy of Ekornes's long-marketed 'Stressless' chair.
- ›The holder requested rejection of the application, arguing that the contested design created a different overall impression from the cited Stressless disclosure.
- ›The Division held the internet extracts did not adequately prove prior disclosure because they lacked a clear source, the relevant design view, and a verifiable disclosure date before the contested filing date.
- ›Because prior disclosure was not established under Article 7, the evidence did not support the Article 25(1)(b) invalidity grounds based on Articles 4, 5, and 6, so the application was rejected.
Deciding panel
- MemberWolfgang SCHRAMEK
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberThorsten ICKENROTH
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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