"UK registered designs protect the whole or a part of a product resulting from the features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture or materials of the product or its ornamentation.

A product means any industrial or handicraft item other than a computer program; and, in particular, includes packaging, get-up, graphic symbols, typo-graphic typefaces and parts intended to be assembled into a complex product. A complex product means a product which is composed of at least two replaceable component parts permitting disassembly and reassembly of the product."

To be registered, a design must be new and have individual character.

New means not disclosed anywhere in the world before the filing date of the registered design, subject to some exceptions. For example, the design is still considered new if the disclosure could not reasonably have become known to persons carrying on business in the European Economic Area.

There is also a disclosure grace period of 12 months, but we do not advise that you rely on this unless absolutely necessary, because this can prevent you from obtaining valid protection in some foreign countries in due course.

A design is considered to have individual character if the overall impression it produces on the informed user differs from the overall impression produced on such a user by any design which has been made available to the public.

1. Full applicant details, eg your full name or company name (plus state or incorporation) and address.
2. Representations: Drawings or photographs of the design suitable for quality reproduction by a photocopier. (We prefer line drawings because these are most easily reproduced. You should generally show the six views of a cube and a perspective view, but we can advise on this as necessary).
3. Details of any earlier "priority" applications.
4. The title or classification of the design.

The cost of registering a UK design is around £400 (excl VAT) assuming the case is straightforward and suitable representations are provided. We can obtain suitable drawings, if necessary, but this will add to the cost, typically £75 per page (excl VAT). Please note that it is possible to file multiple designs in a single application, subject to the designs being in the same classification. This is more cost effective than filing separate applications.