Invalidity · first instance · 2026-02-23
000128579
Contested design: 007188172-0001
Outcome
The invalidity application is rejected, and the applicant must bear the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity of registered EU design No 007188172-0001 is rejected. 2. The applicant bears the holder’s costs, fixed at EUR 400.
CostsApplicant ordered to pay costs of €400
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Wasombouw B.V.via PDF extraction
Netherlands (NL)
Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Washtower IP B.V.
Netherlands (NL)
Hengelo, Netherlands
Represented by
Prior art cited (3)
flower tables
001771247-0040 · EU Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2010-11-03
storage cabinets
003151570-0001 · EU Designs Bulletin · disclosed 2016-06-07
'Washtower' Stackable Washer and Dryer cabinet
https://www.washtower.com/ · holder's website
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character and because all visible features were allegedly solely dictated by technical function.
- ›The holder argued the invoked prior designs were materially different, the contested design retained aesthetic choices, and the website evidence lacked relevance for invalidity.
- ›The Division found the applicant had not proved that the design's features were exclusively function-driven under Article 8(1) EUDR.
- ›It accepted disclosure of prior designs 1 and 2, rejected prior design 3 as unsupported web evidence, and found the contested design created a different overall impression and was new.
- ›The application was rejected and the applicant was ordered to pay the holder's fixed representation costs of EUR 400.
Deciding panel
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberRebecca SANTANA DAVIES
- MemberChiara BORACE
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000128656 vs Washtower IP B.V. | 2026-05-19 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 7 |
| 000128557 vs Washtower IP B.V. | 2026-05-19 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 7 |
| 000129371 vs joboo GmbH | 2026-05-05 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 7 |
| 000128978 vs Franco Ferri S.R.L. | 2026-04-13 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 7 |
| 000131627 vs Shuifa XIE | 2026-03-31 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 7 |
| 000130974 vs Højer Møbler A/S | 2026-03-10 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 7 |
| 000128937 vs Liyou Industrial Co., Ltd | 2026-02-24 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 7 |
| 000122758 vs SAGAN FM GABRIELA WĄSALA SPÓŁKA KOMANDYTOWA | 2026-01-28 | — | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 7 |