Benefits of registration


A registered design can be a valuable commercial asset. Once your registered design is examined and issued a certificate of examination, you have the exclusive and legally enforceable right to use, licence or commercialise your design. If another person uses your registered design without your permission, you can take action to stop them.

As the registered owner you have:

  • exclusive right to use the design
  • exclusive right to authorise other people to use your design
  • a registered design which is 'personal property' that can grow in value and can be sold
  • a registration that covers the whole of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Length of protection

  • Registration initially protects your design for five years from the date the application was filed.
  • The design registration can be renewed for a further five years. If you do not renew your registration it will cease.

Once the registration has ceased the design passes into the public domain and is free for anyone to use. It may still be protected by other laws such as copyright or trade marks.

Infringement

If your registered design is infringed or you believe it is being infringed, you should consider requesting an examination and/or seeking legal advice. If your registered design is issued with a certification of examination, you may take legal action against the competing party. However, if it is examined and found invalid, your design registration will be revoked and you will not be able to take any action.

Last Updated: 01/9/2011