Crocs is a popular manufacturer of comfortable shoes, which lost a patent fight in the European General Court.

Reason for their lost:

Crocs disclosed its invention more than 12 months prior to filing of a patent application.

In fact, the court stated:

“The General Court Confirms the cancellation of registration of Crocs’ design because it was made available to the public prior to registration.”

Lesson to learn: Always file a patent application first before you go public with your invention.

The following is the actual link to the ruling:

https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2018-03/cp180031en.pdf

As always, you are more than welcome to call or email Patent Law Agency, LLC if you have any comments or questions.

By Peter Ganjian

(Former United States Patent Examiner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office)

A Southern California based U.S. Registered Patent Agent with Patent Law Agency, LLC Serving the communities of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, and Arcadia.  Patent Law Agency, LLC also serves India, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, China, Europe and the European Patent Office, Canada, and many other locations.