Protecting the appearance of a product or a part thereof in a number of countries has become easier with the introduction of the Community Design in 2003. Like with her older brother the Community Trademark, one can obtain a design registration for all countries that are part of the European Union by filing a single application.

The new system of design protection in the European Union has introduced the possibility of unregistered Community designs as well as registered Community designs

Unregistered designs are protected automatically as from March 2002 for a limited period of 3 years after the design has become available to the public. Registered desins however, like a national application in the Benelux, are protected for a maximum period of 25 years.

If you have any questions on CTM design matters, please complete and return the response form.

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