Invalidity · first instance · 2026-04-29
000131246
Contested design: 015031901-0022
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the contested EU design is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 720.
Show verbatim operative text
1. The application for a declaration of invalidity is upheld. 2. Registered EU design No 015031901-0022 is declared invalid. 3. The holder bears the costs, fixed at EUR 720.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €720
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Novidion GmbHvia PDF extraction
Germany (DE)
Köln, Germany
Represented by
Rainer Buttron
Holder · RCD owner
Life Vac LLC
United States (US)
Nesconset, United States
Represented by
Prior art cited (1)
LifeVac rescue mask shown on the holder's website
www.lifevac.net · Internet Archive · disclosed 2014-08-19
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant argued that the contested rescue mask lacked novelty and individual character because the holder had already disclosed the same design on its website by August 2014.
- ›The holder was invited to respond to the invalidity application but filed no observations.
- ›The Division accepted the Internet Archive screenshot as proof of prior disclosure and found that the two mask designs created the same overall impression on the informed user.
- ›The application was upheld because the contested design lacked individual character and the holder was ordered to bear the costs.
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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