Testimonials
Thank you so much for explaining the options to me in such a clear and concise manner. A. Wright
Ask a question
Did you know...
What happens if other countries join the EU?
This is called enlargement. The design protection will automatically extend to the new countries.
How many countries does the European Community design extend to?
27 Countries at the time of writing!
Helpful tip
How do I mark my work to warn competitors of my rights?
Print your design registration numbers on your product or packaging, eg Registered Community Design 001722356-001.
I have a three-dimensional product rather than a graphical two dimensional work. My product has a nice design which took me quite some time to devise. How do I register the design right and how much does it cost?
Unregistered design right as opposed to copyright will give you some rights to protect the shape of the design against copying. It subsists automatically as of the date of creation, and costs nothing.
For how long can I rely on protection for the design of my product using design right?
Unregistered design right will last for 10 years from the end of the calendar year of first marketing. If you do not market the product in the first 5 years, then design right will last for 15 years from the end of the calendar year of first recordal.
How can I mark my product to warn others or deter people from copying it?
UDR reserved ‘your name’ 2010 (or the year when it was first created or marketed)
I have written a book. Will copyright protect me and if so for how long?
Yes. 70 years from the end of the calendar year of the death of the author. The same applies to artistic works.
