Judgment of the General Court (Sixth Chamber) of 13 December 2023

1. Community designsSurrender and invalidityApplication for a declaration of invalidity based on the existence of an earlier designBurden of proofRequirements relating to the reproduction of the earlier design

(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 52(2) and 63(1); Commission Regulation No 2245/2002, Art. 28(1)(b)(i)(v) and (vi))

(see paragraphs 24, 26)

2. Community designsProcedural provisionsExamination of the facts of EUIPO’s own motionFacts and evidence not submitted in due timeAccount takenEarlier design produced after the filing of the application for a declaration of invalidityPrecluded

(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Arts 52(2) and 63(2); Commission Regulation No 2245/2002, Art. 28(1)(b)(i)(v) and (vi))

(see paragraphs 27, 28, 31, 44-48)

3. Community designsProcedural provisionsStatement of reasons for decisionsFirst sentence of Article 62 of Regulation No 6/2002Scope identical to that of Article 296 TFEU

(Art. 296 TFEU; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41(2)(c); Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 62, first sentence)

(see paragraphs 59-62)

4. Community designsProcedural provisionsDecisions of EUIPOObservance of the rights of the defenceScope of the principle

(Council Regulation No 6/2002, Art. 60(2), second sentence)

(see paragraphs 72, 73)

Operative part

The Court:

1. Dismisses the action;

2. Orders Light Tec Ltd to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by DecoTrend GmbH;

3. Orders the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to bear its own costs.