	Key features of the new Act
	What is a design?
	What are the benefits of registering a design?
	Before you apply
	The application process
	Maintaining your design registration
	International applications
	Fees
	Examples
	The Register of Designs
	The Register of Olympic Designs
	Forms & publications
	Search databases

General considerations

General Considerations

Before you apply for design protection in a foreign country, you should consider the following information:

While design registration systems are broadly the same from country to country. The laws and procedures of foreign industrial property offices can differ greatly.
If the industrial property office of a foreign country does not use English as an official language, you will have to translate all documents and correspondence into an official language used by that office. This can be a major expense.
In some countries, you have to use the services of a patent agent if you are not a resident of that country. In others you may be able to arrange for a friend or business contact to forward correspondence to you in Australia.
The fees for obtaining and maintaining a registered design in foreign countries vary from country to country.
Certain countries, such as the USA and the Philippines, will only accept applications made in the designer's name.