Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 17 September 2019 –  
Aroma Essence v EUIPO — Refan Bulgaria (washing sponge)

(Case T‑532/18)

(Community design — Invalidity proceedings — Registered Community design representing a washing sponge — Earlier designs — Grounds for invalidity — Examination by the Board of Appeal of its own motion of the facts constituting disclosure — Burden of proof on the invalidity applicant — Requirements relating to the reproduction of the prior design)

| 1. | Community designs — Procedural provisions — Examination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motion — Action for invalidity — Examination restricted to the submissions of the parties  (Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 63(1))  (see para. 23) |

| 2. | 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, Art. 52(2); Commission Regulation No 2245/2002, Art. 28(1)(b)(i)(vi))  (see paras 25, 29) |

| 3. | Community designs — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — EUIPO’s previous decision-making practice — Principle of legality — Need for a strict and complete examination in each particular case  (Council Regulation No 6/2002; Commission Regulation No 2245/2002, Art. 36(1))  (see paras 39-41) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Third Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 19 July 2018 (Case R 1197/2017-3), relating to invalidity proceedings between Aroma Essence and Refan Bulgaria.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Aroma Essence Ltd to pay the costs. |

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