Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 26 January 2022 –  
Unger Marketing International v EUIPO – Orben Wasseraufbereitung (Water purifiers)

(Case T‑325/20)

(Community design – Invalidity proceedings – Design representing a water purifier – 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 – Declaration of invalidity)

| 1. | 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 paras 12, 92) |

| 2. | 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, Recital 10, Arts 8(1) and 25(1)(b))  (see paras 28, 29, 68, 69) |

| 3. | 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, Recital 10, Arts 8(1) and 25(1)(b))  (see paras 30-32, 36, 47) |

| 4. | 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 paras 37, 38) |

| 5. | Community designs – Grounds for invalidity – Designs dictated by their technical function – Representation of a water purifier  (Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 8(1) and 25(1)(b))  (see paras 70, 73-75, 82, 87) |

Re:

Action brought against the decision of the Third Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 26 February 2020 (Case R 740/2018-3) relating to invalidity proceedings between Orben Wasseraufbereitung and Unger Marketing International.

Operative part

The Court:

| 1. | Dismisses the action; |

| 2. | Orders Unger Marketing International, LLC to pay the costs. |

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