DESIGNS
AESTHETICS AND TECHNOLOGY GO HAND IN HAND.
Designs (formerly known as design patents) can be used to protect two-dimensional or three-dimensional manifestations of products or parts thereof for a maximum period of 25 years. The appearance is usually determined by a combination of shape, surface structure, material, lines, contours and colors.
Designs are entered in a register by the German Patent and Trademark Office and also by the patent offices of most other countries without examination for protectability.
In order for a registered design to be enforceable, it must be new and have individual character. Individual character is given if the overall impression the design makes on an informed user differs from the overall impression any other known design makes on the informed user.
WHAT WE DO FOR YOU
We advise you on the decision whether a design application is promising and, if so, we will prepare the application. This usually requires high-quality photographs, line drawings or rendered computer drawings. Abroad, we commission carefully selected colleagues from our law firm to represent you.
In addition, we take care of the administration and renewal of your designs, support you in the event of attacks on your designs or on designs of competitors and advise you on all issues related to design infringement.