Industrial design protection concerns new or original visual features of shape, configuration, pattern, ornament or composition applied to an article and judged by the eye. Public disclosure before filing can affect novelty — businesses should review protection before exhibitions, catalogues, online launch or commercial sale.
What This Covers
Consumer Products
Furniture, appliances, containers, accessories, household articles and lifestyle products.
Packaging & Containers
Distinctive bottle, box, pouch, container or product-packaging shapes.
Fashion & Accessories
Eligible article designs, jewellery forms, footwear elements and ornamental features.
Industrial Components
Visual appearance of components or articles produced through an industrial process.
Graphical / Surface Features
Patterns, ornamentation and visual surface treatment applied to an article, subject to eligibility.
Product Variants
Related visual variants that may require separate or coordinated filing strategy.
Who Should Use This Service
Consumer product manufacturers and designersPackaging designers and FMCG brandsFashion, accessories and lifestyle product businessesIndustrial component manufacturersBusinesses with distinctive product shapes or containersStartups launching new product lines before market disclosure
Our Service Scope
Preliminary design-search and disclosure review
Article identification and Locarno class / subclass planning
Novelty and originality discussion based on client disclosures
Representation guidance for drawings or photographs
Statement of novelty and disclaimer coordination
Application preparation and filing
Examination-response coordination where separately included
Registration, renewal and ownership-record support
Documents & Information Required
📄 Applicant name, legal status, address and nationality
📄 Name and description of the article
📄 Clear drawings or photographs showing all required views
📄 Statement identifying the novel visual features
📄 Designer and ownership or assignment details
📄 Details of any prior disclosure, sale, exhibition or online publication
📄 Priority documents for convention applications, where applicable
📄 Authorisation or power of attorney, where applicable
Our Process
1
Confidential Design Review
Understand the article, visual features, ownership and disclosure history.
2
Search & Classification
Review relevant design records and identify the appropriate Locarno class and subclass.
3
Representation Preparation
Finalise clear views that consistently show the design and avoid unnecessary matter.
4
Application Filing
Submit the prescribed application, representations and fee.
5
Examination
Address formal or substantive objections where separately engaged.
6
Registration & Publication
Upon acceptance, the design is registered and published in the Patent Office Journal.
What You Receive
Design-search review and classification advice
Representation preparation guidance
Application filed with the Patent Office
Filing acknowledgement and application number
Examination response coordination where included
Registration certificate upon approval
Renewal calendar updated for next cycle
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a design and a patent?+
Design registration protects eligible visual appearance, while patent protection concerns qualifying inventions and technical solutions. They are separate forms of IP with different requirements.
Can a product design be filed after launch?+
Prior public disclosure may affect novelty. The design should be reviewed before launch, sale, exhibition or online publication wherever possible.
Can a logo be protected as an industrial design?+
A logo is usually considered under trademark and copyright frameworks. Design registration concerns visual features applied to an article and must satisfy specific statutory requirements.
Do drawings need to be professional?+
Representations must clearly and consistently show the claimed visual features. Poor or inconsistent views can create objections or weaken the registration.
Can ownership be transferred?+
Registered design ownership and related interests may be recorded or transferred subject to valid documents and statutory procedure.
Important Disclaimer: Design registration depends on novelty, originality, prior disclosure, article classification, representations and statutory examination. Search and filing support does not guarantee registration or enforceability. Patent advice, foreign filings, infringement opinions and litigation are separate.
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