Invalidity · first instance · 2025-12-10
000128638
Contested design: 008921340-0001
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 008921340-0001 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 750.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Muhuo Xievia PDF extraction
China (CN)
Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
electric toothbrush
CN 305778026 S (application No 201930745373.5) · Chinese design patent publication · disclosed 2020-05-12
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character over Design 1 of Chinese design patent CN 305778026 S for an electric toothbrush.
- ›The holder argued the Chinese publication had not reasonably become known to specialised circles in the EU and, in any event, the contested design differed in handle shape, button placement, brush head position, and rear ridges.
- ›The Division held publication in the Chinese design patent document on 12 May 2020 proved disclosure under Article 7(1) EUDR, and the holder had not rebutted that presumption.
- ›Given at least average designer freedom for electric toothbrushes, the identified differences were minor and the contested design produced the same overall impression as the earlier design.
- ›The application was upheld, the contested design was declared invalid for lack of individual character, and costs were awarded against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberRasa BARAKAUSKIENĖ
- MemberDimitrios ANDRIANOPOULOS
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 ↗ |
Locarno classes
Similar decisions
Ranked by shared Locarno class + shared legal grounds + matching outcome. Click a case to view full detail.
| Case | Date | Outcome | Shared grounds | Locarno | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000130164 vs Moritz Neugebauer | 2026-05-22 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 28 | 8 |
| 000129241 vs Yi Wing Global Limited | 2026-05-12 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 28 | 8 |
| 000132044 vs Xucan XU | 2026-05-08 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 28 | 8 |
| 000131244 vs Shenzhen Lumei E-commerce Co., Ltd. | 2026-03-27 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 28 | 8 |
| 000130964 vs Changde Yameixun Network Technology Co., Ltd. | 2026-02-06 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 28 | 8 |
| 000130541 vs Medintim SL | 2025-12-23 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 28 | 8 |
| 000128396 vs Koninklijke Philips N.V. | 2025-12-15 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 28 | 8 |
| 000128157 vs Koninklijke Philips N.V. | 2025-12-10 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 28 | 8 |