Applying for Design Registration

In the UK and Europe, a design application can be made for a single design or any number of different designs so, if you are planning to launch a number of products on the market at about the same time, it is economical to include them all in a single design application.

We require a number of representations of the article to file an application; these may be photographs or drawings of different views of the article, sufficient to show all aspects of the Design. In the case of photographic representations, these should show the article photographed against a plain, contrasting background, omitting any confusing or extraneous details. In most cases "informal" representations or even a sample can be filed to secure a filing date, and we can have the necessary "formal" representations prepared later.

The application will hopefully be allowed, with any modifications considered necessary to comply with formal requirements. The design is then registered and a certificate of Registration is issued.

The period for which a Registered Design is effective is initially five years, but this is extendable upon payment of renewal fees for four further periods of five years each, giving a total possible lifetime of twenty five years.