Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) of 12 March 2014 — Tubes Radiatori v OHIM — Antrax It (Radiateur)

(Case T‑315/12)

Community design — Invalidity proceedings — Registered Community design representing a radiator for heating — Earlier design — Ground for invalidity — No individual character — Overall impression not different — Article 6 and Article 25(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 — No scope for innovation — Obligation to state reasons

1.                     Community designs — Appeals procedure — Action before the EU judicature — Jurisdiction of the General Court — Re-evaluation of the facts in the light of evidence produced for the first time before it — Exclusion (Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 61) (see para. 27)

2.                     Community designs — Ground for invalidity — No individual character — Design not producing on an informed user a different overall impression from that produced by the earlier sign — Informed user — Concept (Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 6(1), and 25(1)(b)) (see paras 58-62)

3.                     Community designs — Ground for invalidity — No individual character — Design not producing on an informed user a different overall impression from that produced by the earlier sign — Criteria for assessment — Creative licence (Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 6 and 25(1)(b)) (see paras 65-67)

4.                     Community trade mark — Decisions of the Office — Principle of equal treatment — Principle of sound administration — OHIM’s previous decision-making practice (see para. 74)

Re:

ACTION brought against the decision of the Third Board of Appeal of OHIM of 3 April 2012 (Case R 953/2011-3) relating to invalidity proceedings between Antrax It Srl and Tubes Radiatori Srl.

Operative part

The Court:

1. Annuls the decision of the Third Board of Appeal of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM) of 3 April 2012 (Case R 953/2011-3);

2. Dismisses the action as to the remainder;

3. Orders OHIM to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Tubes Radiatori Srl;

4. Orders Antrax It Srl to bear its own costs.