Article 32

1. Where a number of applications for a declaration of invalidity have been filed relating to the same registered Community design, the Office may deal with them in one set of proceedings.

The Office may subsequently decide no longer to deal with them in that way.

2. If a preliminary examination of one or more applications reveals that the registered Community design may be invalid, the Office may suspend the other invalidity proceedings.

The Office shall inform the remaining applicants of any relevant decisions taken during such proceedings as are continued.

3. Once a decision declaring the invalidity of the design has become final, the applications in respect of which the proceedings have been suspended in accordance with paragraph 2 shall be deemed to have been disposed of and the applicants concerned shall be informed accordingly. Such disposition shall be considered to constitute a case which has not proceeded to judgment for the purposes of Article 70(4) of Regulation (EC) No 6/2002.

4. The Office shall refund 50% of the invalidity fee referred to in Article 52(2) of Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 paid by each applicant whose application is deemed to have been disposed of in accordance with paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article.