Design registration

Design protection is a legal right that protects the appearance of a product. It prevents others from copying or imitating your design. This includes aspects such as shape, lines, colours, texture and surface structure.

Design registration is the official recording of your design in an official design register. By registering your design, you obtain an exclusive right to use it and can take action against infringement.

Design protection covers the appearance of a product, while trademark protection primarily covers names, logos and figurative marks. Many businesses combine both forms of protection to create a strong legal position.

Design registration is possible for, among others, product shapes, clothing, packaging, fashion, jewellery, furniture, graphic designs and icons. Specific forms such as a drainpipe, a car’s exterior mirror or even the shape of a candy can also be protected as a design.

A design must be new and have individual character. This means the design must clearly differ from existing designs. A prior design search can help assess whether your design meets this requirement.

Without design registration, your legal position is weaker and it is more difficult to act against copies. You also risk someone else registering your design.

Chiever not only handles the entire process for you, but also ensures the right strategic choices are made during filing. This helps guarantee that your design is protected in the best possible way.

Design registration is possible in most countries worldwide. Since the costs of an EU design are relatively similar to those of a Benelux design, many businesses choose EU protection, which covers all 27 EU Member States through a single application. If protection outside the EU is required, separate applications must be filed per country.

An EU design registration is valid for 5 years and can be renewed in 5-year periods up to a maximum of 25 years. Timely renewal prevents loss of rights.

The costs depend on the number of designs, the geographical scope of protection and official filing fees. Chiever will always provide full transparency on the total costs in advance.

If all formalities are correctly fulfilled, especially if the submitted images meet the requirements, a European design can be registered within a few days. From the moment of registration, you can actively enforce your rights. Outside the EU, procedures generally take longer.

You can, but it involves risks. Early disclosure may affect the scope of protection. It is advisable to seek advice beforehand.

Unregistered designs may also receive protection. However, an unregistered design has a more limited scope of protection and is only valid for 3 years. If you rely solely on unregistered protection, you cannot later convert it into a registered design, so the protection remains limited.

With a registered design, you can take legal action, demand that the infringement stops and claim damages. Chiever can support and advise you in enforcing your rights.

Yes. Multiple designs can be included in one application, which is more efficient and cost-effective.

No. Design protection only covers the appearance of a product. Technical innovations require patent protection.