Invalidity · first instance · 2026-05-11
000129519
Contested design: 015072930-0022
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is rejected, and the applicant must pay the holder's costs fixed at EUR 400.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Der Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung des eingetragenen EU-Geschmacksmusters Nr. 015072930-0022 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
Spark Technologies, SIAvia PDF extraction
LV
Rīga, Lettland
Represented by
Kristine Viļķina
Holder · RCD owner
AST - Advanced Sailing Technologies GmbH
Germany (DE)
Potsdam, Deutschland
Represented by
Prior art cited (2)
Screenshots from the video 'Aspen Carbon Cat Tour & Running Video' showing the asserted earlier boat design.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyWngk9BPps&t=217s · YouTube · disclosed 2022-10-07
Screenshot of a post dated 20/08/2024 by the account 'Oto Dzenis' showing the asserted earlier design.
disclosed 2024-08-20
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character, relying on two earlier online disclosures of a boat rub rail design.
- ›The holder denied the invalidity grounds and argued the contested design differed in the number, width, angle, and layout of the rub-rail segments and interruptions.
- ›The Division accepted D1 as an online disclosure under Article 7(1) but rejected D2 because the screenshot did not reliably identify its source or disclosure circumstances.
- ›Comparing only the protected starboard-side rub-rail features, the Division found clear differences in form, proportions, and interruption layout, producing a different overall impression.
- ›The contested design therefore had individual character and novelty; the invalidity application was rejected and costs were awarded against the applicant.
Deciding panel
- MemberLudmila ČELIŠOVÁ
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIvo TSENKOV
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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