Summary

Summary of the Design Registration System

Designs are protectable through registration with the competent office. A separate application has to be filed in each jurisdiction. Such a registration is effected without any novelty examination at the applicant's responsibility.

A design registration is valid for five years from the filing date renewable for two similar periods of five years each.

A registration of a design is subject to cancellation in the event any interested party requests such a cancellation before the competent tribunal. Cancellation can be based on the grounds that the subject design was not novel at the time of filing the relevant application or that the design is applied through manufacturing processes to any article in a foreign country and is not so applied through any manufacturing processes in the territories to such extent as is reasonable in the circumstances of the case.

There is no provision in the current Design Law for compulsory working or licensing with respect to designs.

Infringement or unauthorized use of a registered design is punishable under the current Design Law.

Requirements

Design Applications

1. A simply signed power of attorney.
2. Three sets of specimens or representations of the design.
3. The name, business, nationality and address of the applicant.
4. The class (es) in which the design is to be registered.
5. The articles covered by the design and the material used in producing these items.
6. A description of the design pointing out its novel aspects.

Change of Name/Address Applications

1. A simply signed power of attorney.
2. A certified and legalized copy of the change of name or address certificate issued by the home registry.
3. The number and date of registration of the trademark, patent, or design.

Assignment Applications

1. A simply signed power of attorney.
2. A legalized deed of assignment.