What is an EU industrial design
An industrial design protects the appearance of a product or part of it, in particular the shape, lines, contours, colors, material texture, or ornamentation. The registered European Union design, formerly known as the Community design (RCD), makes it possible with a single application at the EUIPO to protect a design across the entire territory of the European Union.
The advantage is unified protection. With a single application you cover all EU member states at once, and the right of priority can also be claimed. Before filing, you have a 12-month deferment period during which the product can be placed on the market without impairing its novelty.
A design can be protected in two forms. An unregistered EU design arises automatically on the day of first disclosure to the public, lasts three years, and protects against intentional copying. A registered design is entered in the EUIPO register and also protects against an independently developed similar product.
A registered design is valid for five years and can be renewed repeatedly up to a total of 25 years from the filing date. It gives the owner the right to prohibit the unauthorized manufacture and sale of an identical product in the EU and to prevent the import of such goods through the customs authorities. For protection outside the EU, international registration through the Hague System (WIPO) can be used.