Registration of Industrial Design in the EU

Overview

Design registration is a legal process that provides protection for the visual appearance of a product including its shape, configuration, pattern, ornamentation, or any combination of these elements. It’s important to note that design protection covers only the product’s appearance and not its function.

Procedure

Before submitting an application, it is necessary to conduct a search for similar designs to avoid disputes in the future. In addition, all formal application requirements must be met.

Once the application is submitted, it will be examined by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to ensure it meets the requirements for registration. If the application is approved, the design will be registered

It’s important to note that not all designs are eligible for registration. EUIPO checks if your design qualifies as a design and whether it conforms to public policy and moral standarts.

Benefits

The main benefit of registering a design in the European Union is that it gives the owner exclusive rights to prevent others from making, using or selling any product that incorporates the registered design without the owner’s permission in all EU countries.

This can help businesses protect their unique product designs from being copied by competitors, giving them a competitive advantage in the market. Additionally, registering a design can also increase the value of a business, as it shows that the business has invested in protecting its intellectual property assets.

Conclusion

You can enforce your intellectual property rights in a market of almost 500 million consumers. Our law firm can assist with the entire process if you wish to register an industrial design in the EU