As well as obtaining UK and European Community design protection, it is possible to obtain design protection in other countries. Most industrialised nations are party to the Paris Convention, which is an international treaty allowing the filing date of an earlier application in another country to be claimed. This is called claiming priority, and the earlier application is called a priority application.

For example, we could file a design application in the UK, and then up to six months later, file a Community Design application, a US design application and an Australian design application. Local attorneys in the US and Australia would represent you on receiving our instructions.

The cost of filing in foreign countries varies significantly due to differing official fees and foreign attorney costs. We can obtain estimates as required, but typically the cost of filing in one country is between £650 and £1200 (excl VAT). Prosecution costs typically vary between £200 and £800 (excl VAT).