RENOVA: Refusal Decisions Set Aside and Remanded in Five International Design Cases
Pine IP Firm represented RENOVA in appeals against refusals of five international design applications for transparent packaging (Case Nos. 2026 Won 946, 2026 Won 947, 2026 Won 948, 2026 Won 949 and 2026 Won 950). On October 21, 2026, the firm obtained decisions setting aside all five refusals and remanding the cases for further examination.
Cases
The cases concern the following five designs included in International Registration No. DM/245491.
| Case number | Design |
|---|---|
| 2026 Won 946 | Design 1: Transparent packaging for 4 toilet rolls |
| 2026 Won 947 | Design 2: Transparent packaging for 6 toilet rolls |
| 2026 Won 948 | Design 3: Transparent packaging for 9 toilet rolls |
| 2026 Won 949 | Design 4: Transparent packaging for 12 toilet rolls |
| 2026 Won 950 | Design 5: Transparent packaging with a logo for 12 toilet rolls |
During examination, the mainly perspective-view drawings were found insufficient to clearly identify the overall shape of the packaging. In particular, the closure details at the top and bottom were not clear, leading to refusal.
The Korean Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board found that the amended drawings clearly disclosed the overall form and appearance, and that minor differences in colour or glare did not affect them. It therefore accepted the amendments and held that the ground for refusal under the opening provision of Article 33(1) of Korea’s Design Protection Act had been overcome.
All five refusal decisions were set aside, and the cases were remanded to the examiner. Through amendments to the drawings and arguments explaining that the amendments did not change the substance of the original designs, our firm enabled the client’s designs to undergo further examination in Korea.
