Essential Facts about Design

1. Why is it necessary to protect a design?
2. What is a design?
3. To which products does industrial design apply?
4. How can an industrial design be protected?
5. How can industrial design be internationally protected?

Design Registration Procedure

1. Who can file an application for design registration?
2. Is it mandatory to appoint an attorney for the filing of the application?

3. When does the procedure for design right registration begin?
With the filing of the application for registration of a right to a design with the Intellectual Property Office by mail or by hand, in the Filing Office of the Intellectual Property Office. It is not possible to file an application by telefax or online. The Office will enter a duly filed application in the Registry of Applications for Registration of Design Rights, where the application will be assigned the so-called D- number, and receive an exact filing date. The filing date is at the same time the date of acquisition of a right of priority regarding the protection of the registered design.
4. What is a priority right?
5. Which elements should a duly filed application for design registration comprise?
a) A request for design registration
b) A design description
c) A photograph or a drawing of the design
d) A power of attorney
6. What are the stages and duration of the design registration procedure?
7. When has a design been created and how long is its validity period?
8. How to renew the validity of a design?

Other Relevant Questions

1. Can the appearance of a design be subsequently changed in the course of the design registration procedure?
2. What should the applicant do if the name of the applicant is changed, or his address, that is, his name and address, or if the right from the application is assigned to another natural or legal person, during the procedure for design registration?
3. Which applications are examined in an expedited procedure?