Industrial Designs

What are they and
what do they protect?

What Is an Industrial Design?

An industrial design protects the visual appearance of a product rather than how it functions.

Industrial design rights, referred to as industrial designs in Canada and design patents in the U.S., are an important form of intellectual property for businesses that invest in distinctive product aesthetics.

Industrial design protection covers the ornamental or aesthetic features of an article, including its shape, configuration, pattern, surface ornamentation, or a combination of these elements. It ensures that competitors cannot copy or closely imitate the unique look of a product.

What Can An Industrial Design Protect?

Industrial designs are used to protect:

·       Product shapes and configurations

·       Surface patterns and ornamentation

·       Distinctive packaging or container designs

·       User interface and screen display designs

·       Decorative features applied to manufactured goods

To qualify for protection, a design must generally be new and original and must not be dictated solely by function.

While functional features may be protected by utility patents, industrial designs focus exclusively on visual appeal.

Who Should File Industrial Designs?

Industrial designs are valuable to start-ups and mega corporations alike, particularly where time and investment have gone into developing the consumer appeal of a product.

Provided renewal fees are paid, industrial designs or design patents can last up to 15 years. These rights allow owners to control the manufacture, sale, and importation of products incorporating the protected design, or otherwise products with designs similar to that of the registration.

Industrial design protection is especially valuable for consumer products, electronics, furniture, packaging, and technology-driven goods where appearance influences purchasing decisions. Understanding the nuances of industrial designs helps businesses secure strong, enforceable rights across key markets.

Contact us today to discuss your industrial design needs.

Frequently Asked Questions: Designs

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

Contact Us

  • We have all your industrial design needs covered - application drafting, filing, prosecution and maintenance.

  • Reach out to schedule a call - we’ll assess the suitability of your product for industrial design protection and walk you through the next steps.

  • We provide high quality industrial design services in an easy-to-consume format.

  • We charge fixed tariffs for the majority of industrial design work. After an initial call, we’ll provide a cost estimate for next steps.