What is a design?
A design protects the visual appearance of a product: its shape, lines, colors, texture, materials or ornamentation. The product may be an industrial product, packaging, a logo, a textile pattern or a graphical user interface.
In France and in the European Union, a registered design may benefit from protection that is renewable in five-year periods, up to a maximum of twenty-five years, subject to the applicable legal conditions. Protection takes effect from the filing date.
"Filing makes it possible to organize and strengthen the protection of a product's appearance. Whether it is worthwhile must be assessed in light of the creation, its disclosure and the markets concerned."
NextMarq — Design Expertise
Which creations can be protected? Protection requires, among other conditions, that the design meet the requirements of novelty and individual character.
Your creations, across all categories
Products & Packaging
Shape of a product, bottle, container or packaging. Protection against imitations on the French and European markets.
Learn more 02Graphic creations
Logos, patterns, ornaments, illustrations. A complement to a trademark filing, which may be combined with copyright protection.
Learn more 03Fashion & Textiles
Patterns, prints, shapes of garments and accessories. Protection suited to fashion, luxury goods and craftsmanship.
Learn more 04Digital interfaces
GUIs, icons, application screens. Protection in the tech, software and product design sectors.
Learn more 05Industrial design
Parts, components, equipment. Protection of the appearance of products for which design is a competitive advantage.
Learn more 06Furniture & Decoration
Furniture, lighting, decorative objects. Sectors in which design accounts for most of the commercial value.
Learn moreKey takeaway
The absence of a filing does not rule out all protection. In the European Union, some designs may benefit from unregistered protection, subject to conditions. Filing nevertheless remains an essential tool for organizing and securing a lasting protection strategy.
Managing, licensing and enforcing your designs
Your products, packaging and collections change; their protection has to keep up. We identify what is worth filing, prioritize between designs and plan successive filings in France, in the European Union and internationally.
We take over and manage design portfolios: monitoring of rights, renewals, recordals, and audits of the rights to maintain or abandon. We negotiate and draft the licenses and assignments under which they are used.
When a design is copied, we assess the scope of your rights, seek an amicable solution and, where court action is required, work in coordination with the litigation counsel (avocats) in charge of the proceedings.
A dedicated attorney. We endeavor to respond to your inquiries within two business days.
Designs — the essentials
The most frequently asked questions, with direct answers.