What is an industrial design?
An industrial design provides the exclusive right to the appearance of the whole or part of a product resulting from the features of the lines, contours, colors, shape, texture, or materials of the product itself of its ornamentation. The design can include 2D to 3D elements.
You can register any artisanal or industrial object and / or its packaging as an industrial design- examples include: clocks, lamps, toys, and jewelry.
It is incredibly important to differentiate patents and utility models from industrial designs. While patents relate to an invention´s functional improvement, industrial designs protect only the appearance.
General Characteristics
- Industrial Designs are valid for 5 years and are renewable for maximum of 25 years.
- Industrial Design titles are usually granted within 1 month.
- Your design must meet the novelty requirements.
- Your design must be singular in character – not simply a minimal change to an existing design.
- You may record up to 50 variants in the same industrial design application.
Registered Designs
“Your design and differentiating shapes are synonymous with your brand image; its an asset.”