Designs

The LOOK and SHAPE of your products are important - and are protected by design laws.

Some protection is obtained automatically simply by creating a new design on paper or on screen. However, your legal position is usually much stronger with a registered design.

Registering a design means filing pictures (line drawings or sometimes photos) that show the design. The process is fast and efficient - usually only a few weeks. Protection lasts 5 years and can be extended to 25 years.

So, you get some basic rights for free that stop others from copying your products for a short while. A registration is easier to use against others and lasts for longer.

We have a full range of searching and watching services to help your business through the risk of conflicts with other registered designs. We provide a diverse set of IP audits and inspections (due diligence), watches, notifications (early warnings) and risk assessments (freedom-to-operate searches).

Why Appleyard Lees?

Appleyard Lees provide a full service to obtain and maintain your design portfolio. We are experts in registering your designs in the UK, in Europe and around the world. We offer strategic advice on what to file, where and when and then manage the whole process for you from start to finish. We are experts in complex matters of designs law - if you are stuck, then give us a call.

Designs in Europe

All of the member countries of the European Union cooperate to run the Community Trade Mark Office (OHIM), which also deals with Community Registered Designs. A single filing at OHIM covers all of the EU and provides one design registration with a single, streamlined procedure. Then, this single Community Registered Design (CRD) is available for you in all of the EU countries - giving you freedom and flexibility and keeping costs to a minimum. As European Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys we are Professional Representatives for our clients in all procedures at OHIM, and we have extensive experience at all levels of prosecution, Oppositions and Appeals.

Designs around the World

Each country runs their own legal system and the government controls the activities in that state - including rights in designs. We will give you expert guidance on strategy, timing and costs to get registered in your key markets around the world. We also have an excellent network of overseas associates, most of whom we have met personally and worked with for many years, and we will manage the whole process including liaising with these local attorneys on your behalf.