Home What
is intellectual property?Designs
What is a design?
Design refers to the features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation
which, when applied to a product, gives the product a unique appearance.
You can register a design but it must be new and distinctive.
A registered design can be a valuable commercial asset. Once your registered
design is examined and certified, you have the exclusive and legally enforceable
right to use, license or sell your design.
Please note:
Design registration is intended to protect designs which have an industrial
or commercial use. Designs which are essentially ARTISTIC WORKS are covered
by copyright legislation and ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for design registration. The protection
you receive is only for the visual appearance of manufactured products, not
how it works.
Duration of protection
Registration initially protects your design for five years. You can then renew
the registration for a further five years.
Who administers designs?
Applications should be filed with the designs section of IP Australia. They will assess whether your invention is new and if it meets the legislative requirements.
You can learn more about the design process under the designs section of this website.
To help you understand designs more, we also have a number of design examples.
Useful addresses
The Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA)
Level 2
302 Burwood Road
Hawthorn VIC 3122
Ph: +61 3 9819 2004
Fax: +61 3 9819 6002
Free call: 1800 804 536
Web: www.ipta.org.au
Licensing Executive Society of Australia and New Zealand (LES)
PO Box 1051
Pakenham Upper VIC 3810
Ph: (03) 5942 7066
Fax: (03) 9542 7033
AMPICTA - Representing owners of Intellectual Property in Australia
10 Plympton Rd
Carlingford NSW 2118
Ph: (02) 9458 7416
Fax: (02) 9956 7004
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