62022TJ0347_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 21 June 2023 –Rauch Furnace Technology v EUIPO – Musto et Bureau (Creuset)
(Case T‑347/22) (
1
)
(Community design – Invalidity proceedings – Community design representing a melting crucible – Prior design – Ground for invalidity – Lack of individual character – No different overall impression – Disclosure of prior design – Articles 6, 7 and Article 25(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 – Evidence filed in a language other than the language of the proceedings – Article 29(1) and (5), and Article 81(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2245/2002 – Facts or evidence relied on for the first time before the Board of Appeal – Article 63 of Regulation No 6/2002)
1.
Action for annulment – Jurisdiction of the EU judicature – Claim for a declaratory judgment – Inadmissibility
(Art. 263 TFEU)
(see paragraph 19)
2.
Community designs – Appeals procedure – Action before the EU judicature – Jurisdiction of the General Court – Review of the lawfulness of decisions of the Boards of Appeal – Limits
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 61; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 188)
(see paragraph 24)
3.
Community designs – Procedural provisions – Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion – Facts and evidence not submitted in due time – Account taken – Discretion of EUIPO
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 63(2); Commission Regulation 2018/625, Art. 27(4))
(see paragraphs 41, 42)
4.
Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – No individual character – Disclosure to the public – Proof of the disclosure
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 7(1) and 25(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 55-59, 62)
5.
Community designs – Surrender and invalidity – Application for a declaration of invalidity based on the existence of an earlier design – Burden of proof
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 5 to 7, 25(1)(b), 52(1) and (2), and 53(1) and (2))
(see paragraphs 77, 78)
6.
Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – No individual character – Design not giving the informed user a different overall impression from that produced by the earlier design – Global assessment of all the elements of the earlier design
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 6(1) and 25(1)(b))
(see paragraph 79)
7.
Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – No individual character – Design not giving the informed user a different overall impression from that produced by the earlier design – Representation of a melting crucible
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 6 and 25(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 80-82)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Rauch Furnace Technology GmbH to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Musto et Bureau Srl;
3.
Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 294, 1.8.2022.