Application requirements

According to the Design Law, the “design” is the shape of a product or a part of a product characterized by the features of the lines, periphery, color, shape, structure or the material of the product, or the product’s ornament.

A product is an artifact made industrially or by a craftsman, including parts intended to become a part of a composite product, packaging, equipment, graphical symbols and typographical fonts, but not computer programs. A composite product is a product which consists of several modules or parts which can be replaced, so that the product can be disassembled and reassembled again. However, there is no requirement that the subject of the application must be visible to the end user during normal use of the composite product in order to obtain a design registration.

Ornament

It is possible to register level or flat decors or ornaments which are intended to be applied to different products and items, in the form of an ornament. This must be stated at filing of the design application. In practice, an ornament can be used as a model of the shape for a product.

In view of its character, an ornament will exhibit an ornamental character, even though it can be combined with certain functional effects, such as rubbing of a grip with a particular visual shape. Accordingly, such decorative motives or reliefs can be used on fabric, wallpaper, curtains, ceramic articles, toys, kitchen utensils, furniture etc. in other words, on nearly any kind of utility articles which are produced industrially or by a craftsman.

Internal surfaces

A design registration may also comprise internal parts of a product, such as the internal part of a cup, a box or other items provided with a lid. However, it is a requirement that the internal parts of the item in question must be available without destroying the product.