After you apply

Examining your application

Once we receive your application and fee, an examiner will check it and decide if we need to object to it.

They will then send you a letter with the results of the examination (normally within two months of us receiving your application). This letter will tell you if your design is acceptable.

What is the Locarno Classification system?

How can I correct errors in my application?

What happens if the examiner objects to your design?

If the examiner objects to your design, you will have up to 3 months to:

• try to persuade us that the objections are not justified; or
• overcome them in some other way.

If you want to put forward reasons why we should accept your design, you can phone or write to the examiner.

If there are relatively straightforward ways of overcoming our objections, the examiner will tell you about these in the examination report.

You can also apply in writing to have a formal meeting (a hearing) with a Hearing Officer who is a senior official in the Designs Registry. At the hearing, you will have the opportunity to put forward your case which will allow the Hearing Officer to make a decision on the future of your application.

What if I cannot overcome the objections?

You can either withdraw your application or we will write to you telling you that it has been refused.

We will also refuse your application if you do not reply to the examination report by the deadline that we give you.

What happens if my application is successful?

We will;

• register your design in the United Kingdom Designs Register; and
• publish your registration details in our Electronic Designs Journal.