62021TJ0576_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Tenth Chamber) of 29 March 2023 –Tinnus Enterprises v EUIPO – Mystic ProductsandKoopman International (Fluid distribution equipment)
(Case T‑576/21) (
1
)
(Community design – Invalidity proceedings – Registered Community design representing fluid distribution equipment – Ground for invalidity – Non-compliance with requirements for protection – Article 25(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 – Features of appearance of a product solely dictated by its technical function – Article 8(1) of Regulation No 6/2002)
1.
Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – Designs dictated by their technical function – Features of appearance of a product which are dictated solely by its technical function – Criteria for assessment – Taking into account the relevant objective circumstances
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 8(1) and 25(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 25-28, 59)
2.
Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – Designs dictated by their technical function – Representation of fluid distribution equipment
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 8(1) and 25(1)(b))
(see paragraphs 35, 36, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 69, 74, 84, 95)
3.
Community designs – Surrender and invalidity – Application for a declaration of invalidity – Examination of the application – Designs dictated by their technical function – Burden of proof
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 8(1) and 25(1)(b))
(see paragraph 51)
4.
Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – Designs dictated by their technical function – Features of appearance of a product which are dictated solely by its technical function – Criteria for assessment – Existence of alternative designs – Irrelevant
(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 8(1) and 25(1)(b))
(see paragraph 85)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Tinnus Enterprises LLC to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and by Koopman International BV.
(
1
)	OJ C 462, 15.11.2021.