Industrial design protection

Design protection is a form of industrial property right that safeguards the appearance of a product—such as its shape, patterns, graphical user interfaces, or color combinations—but not its technical solutions or functionality.

To qualify for design protection, the design must not have been made public before the filing date; in other words, it must be new. Additionally, the design must differ from existing ones—it must be distinctive or possess individual character.

Design rights primarily protect the overall visual impression of the product. When applying for design protection, the focus is on the features that reflect innovative design.

Design protection is granted for a period of five years at a time and can be renewed up to five times, for a maximum total duration of 25 years.