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Thanks alot to all of you for an excellent job done and on time.P Green
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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.
Is there an international worldwide design registration?
Yes. It is available to UK citizens, but not to US citizens at present. However, there is a European Community System enabling a US citizen or company to obtain a single registration in all the European member states.
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.
UK Design Registration
Registered design protection for new products can be obtained quickly and relatively cost effectively in the UK. A number of designs can now be filed in a single application, as long as the designs are of the same type. Furthermore, the applicant can take advantage of a one year novelty grace period, which means that if the design has been disclosed, then protection may still be possible. We can provide you with advice on these issues on a case by case basis.
Almost anything can be registered?
UK registered designs protect the whole or a part of a product resulting from the features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture or materials of the product or its ornamentation.
A product means any industrial or handicraft item other than a computer program and, in particular, includes packaging, get-up, graphic symbols, typo-graphic typefaces and parts intended to be assembled into a complex product. A complex product means a product which is composed of at least two replaceable component parts permitting disassembly and reassembly of the product.
Requirements For Registration
To be registered, a design must be new and have individual character. New means not disclosed anywhere in the world before the filing date of the registered design, subject to some exceptions. For example, the design is still considered new if the disclosure could not reasonably have become known to persons carrying on business in the European Economic Area.
There is also a disclosure grace period of 12 months, but we do not advise that you rely on this unless absolutely necessary, because this can prevent you from obtaining valid protection in some foreign countries during the application procedure.
A design is considered to have individual character if the overall impression it produces on the informed user differs from the overall impression produced on such a user by any design which has been made available to the public.
What Do We Need To Register Your Design?
- Full applicant details, eg your full name or company name (plus state or incorporation) and address.
- Representations: Drawings or photographs of the design suitable for quality reproduction by a photocopier. (Line drawings are most easily reproduced.)
- You should generally show the six views of a cube and a perspective view, but we can advise on this as necessary.
- Details of any earlier “priority” applications.
- The title or classification of the design.
Cost
The cost of registering a UK design is around £400 GBP (excluding VAT) assuming the case is straightforward and suitable representations are provided. We can obtain suitable drawings, if necessary, but this will add to the cost, typically £60 GBP per page (excluding VAT). Please note that it is possible to file multiple designs in a single application, subject to the designs being in the same classification. This is more cost effective than filing separate applications.
