Protection

Nowadays a product’s shape or design is at least as important as its technical operation. That is what distinguishes the product on the market. By registering a design, you can protect your product’s new appearance and will have exclusive rights in respect of the design. You may then oppose any production and/or sale by a competitor of a product with the same or a very similar appearance. Design protection offers protection for your products in most countries for a maximum period of 25 years. That period is divided into five periods of five years each, which means that you can renew your right four times. Unlike in the case of a trademark, it is not necessary in the case of a design that you actually sell it in order to preserve your exclusive right.