Invalidity · first instance · 2026-05-19
000128655
Contested design: 003151570-0002
Outcome
The invalidity application is upheld, the registered EU design No 003151570-0002 is declared invalid, and the holder must bear costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
1. Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. 2. Das eingetragene EU-Geschmacksmuster Nr. 003151570-0002 wird für nichtig erklärt. 3. Die Inhaberin trägt die Kosten, die auf 750 EUR festgesetzt werden.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
Wasombouw B.V.via PDF extraction
Netherlands (NL)
Kaatsheuvel, Niederlande
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Washtower IP B.V.
Netherlands (NL)
Hengelo, Niederlande
Prior art cited (1)
cabinet module for a washing machine shown on the JB Stahldesign website
http://www.jbstahldesign.de · Wayback Machine archive of jbstahldesign.de · disclosed 2016-03-05
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and individual character and also argued that the design's features were solely dictated by technical function.
- ›The holder argued the application was abusive or insufficiently substantiated, disputed disclosure of D1, and maintained that the contested design created a different overall impression.
- ›The Division found the Wayback Machine evidence sufficient to show D1 was disclosed on 5 March 2016 and rejected the holder's abuse and non-disclosure objections.
- ›Assessing the compared cabinet modules with average designer freedom, the Division found only minor differences and no different overall impression for the informed user.
- ›The application was upheld on Article 6(1)(b), the contested design was declared invalid, and the holder was ordered to pay EUR 750 in costs.
Deciding panel
- MemberIvan PRANDZHEV
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIvo TSENKOV
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000131404 vs Jiahe Lin | 2026-05-21 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000128637 vs Washtower IP B.V. | 2026-05-19 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000128578 vs Washtower IP B.V. | 2026-05-19 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000128735 vs OÜ REPSTON | 2026-04-24 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000129372 vs Xuefang Cai | 2026-03-12 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000130973 vs Højer Møbler A/S | 2026-03-10 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000130975 vs Højer Møbler A/S | 2026-03-10 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |
| 000131007 vs Højer Møbler A/S | 2026-03-10 | REUD invalidated | Art 25(1)(b) | 06 | 8 |