Invalidity · first instance · 2025-11-21
000125875
Contested design: 004395754-0001
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(it)
1. La domanda di dichiarazione di nullità è accolta. 2. Il disegno o modello dell’UE registrato n. 004395754-0001 è dichiarato nullo. 3. La titolare sopporta l’onere delle spese, fissate a 750 EUR.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Vitra Collections AGvia PDF extraction
Switzerland (CH)
Muttenz, Switzerland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Rossanese Amilcare, Operante Come Ditta Individuale Rossanese Amilcare
Italy (IT)
Limbiate (MB), Italia
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
Instagram post on the 'eamesoffice' page showing the Eames Plastic Side Chair Wood Base DSW chair
https://www.instagram.com · Instagram / eamesoffice · disclosed 2014-07-05
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, and also alleged bad faith, relying in particular on a 5 July 2014 Instagram disclosure of the Eames chair design.
- ›The holder argued the contested design created a different overall impression because of four central rings, claimed author freedom was functionally constrained, and cited market crowding examples.
- ›The Division accepted the Instagram post as sufficient prior disclosure, found the author's freedom at least medium, and held the holder's crowding evidence insufficient because it lacked reliable pre-filing dates.
- ›Comparing the designs, the Division found the shared leg structure, connectors, screws, and overall appearance outweighed minor differences, so the contested design lacked individual character and was invalidated.
Deciding panel
- MemberChiara BORACE
- MemberEnrico D'ERRICO
- MemberJessica N. LEWIS
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| itItalian | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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