Before you apply


You may want to register your design in other countries. To use your Australian priority date, you need to apply in other countries within six months of filing your application in Australia.

Before you apply

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

  • 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 may 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 an IP professional 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 vary from country to country
  • Certain countries, such as the US and the Philippines, will only accept applications made in the designer's name

Last Updated: 01/9/2011