Registering your Design in the United Kingdom (UK) will now be easier than ever
From 1 October 2006 The Patent Office is changing the way it handles design registration. The changes will offer an easier, more cost effective process and will encourage British designers and innovators to protect their new designs.
Changes in the legal protection of designs throughout Europe led to The Patent Office conducting an extensive review of the design registration system seeking views from customers and the business community.
A modern designs system, in harmony with Europe, is crucial to the success of UK businesses both large and small and will meet the urgent demands of today's market place. These changes will be a boost for innovation and competition in the UK.
The benefits to customers will include;
- simplified application forms
- multiple
applications made on one form, with a cost saving for any extra designs applied for at one time
- access
to official files that document proceedings during the design application process
- postponement of public disclosure (on request) for up to 12 months
Editor note:
- A guide to new procedures,
forms and fees is available on this website.
- These
changes will be implemented on 1 October when The Regulatory Reform (Registered Designs) Order 2006,
the Registered Designs Rules 2006 and the Registered Designs (Fees) Rules come into force.
- Since the introduction of the Registered Community Design in April of 2003 the proportion of unrepresented applicants from small and medium sized enterprises has more than doubled to about 70%. Therefore, there has been a need to change the system to ensure that the whole process for the registration of new designs and their maintenance on the register is as simple and straightforward as possible.
