Designs Searches, Filing & Prosecution

In a competitive marketplace where design is often everything, having a government-granted monopoly on that design can be a vital commercial advantage for a business.

A registered design protects a product’s appearance. It is a monopoly that protects the overall unique appearance of a product—its shape, configuration, pattern, and/or ornamentation. Granted by IP Australia, it provides the owner with the exclusive right to that design in its product category in the marketplace for a 10-year term.

Obtaining a registered design adds value to your product and your business in the following ways:

• Benefit from the financial rewards resulting from the commercialisation of the registered patent, which you have a monopoly
• You can threaten and, if required, bring design infringement proceedings against an infringer, stopping their conduct and recovering damages or their profit.
• A registered design improves your bargaining position when negotiating with potential commercial partners, investors or licensees.
• A registered design is a valuable notice of your claimed rights to the invention, deterring would-be infringers – prevention is better than cure.
• A registered design protects your investment of time and resources in product research and development. Without this type of government-granted monopoly, it is near impossible to prevent competitors from copying your product’s design.