Your questions answeredIs there a sign I can add to my products to show it is registered as a design?

Unlike the Copyright ^© symbol and the Trade mark ^® symbol, there is no official symbol to show that a design is registered. But you can display the design number on the product once it is registered, for example, Design No. 1111111 or Reg. Des. 1111111, and so on.

However, please note, under Section 35 of the Registered Designs Act 1949 as amended it is an offence to claim falsely that a design is registered.

Why does it take so long to grant a patent?

Getting a patent granted may sometimes seem like a long process. An application must first be searched, then published, and then examined before it can be granted. We do however offer ways of speeding things up in certain circumstances and together these accelerated procedures can help to get a granted patent much more quickly.

You should think carefully about whether a fast grant is in your best interests. For example, the earlier your patent application is published the earlier the technology is in the public domain. Many applicants are happy to proceed to grant at a slower pace because it enables them to develop and plan the commercialisation and marketing of their invention whilst the patent application process continues. It gives them time to determine whether their invention is commercially viable before committing to a greater financial outlay.

There are however circumstances when a fast grant of a patent may be particularly helpful. For example you may see someone infringing your patent application and may want to get a quicker grant in order to be able to take action. Or an investor may require a granted patent before they are willing to invest in your invention (although some investors may be satisfied with the filing of a patent application).

In these circumstances it may be possible to speed up the processing of an application by requesting a combined search and examination (CSE), an Accelerated search and/or examination or early publication. Details of these three services are available on our website (94Kb).

By using these services it may be possible for your patent to be granted very quickly - for example in less than a year.