Industrial property
F-57520 Grosbliederstroff
Tel : +33 (0)3 87 27 67 14
Secondary office
6 rue des Fossés
F-68000 Colmar
Tel.: + 33 (0)3 69 45 98 52
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Ornamental creations - Designs
The purpose of designs is to protect the external appearance of a product. This appearance may be represented in particular by the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture or materials of the product.
To be protectable, the design must not only be novel but also must have a distinctive character. Protection in France and in the majority of countries is for a maximum of 25 years subject to being renewed every 5 years.
In France, artistic creations also benefit from protection by copyright.
In order to protect creations abroad, it is possible to make national filings, regional filings, such as the Community design, or international filings by means of the international design. It is necessary to broaden the protection within a period of 6 months after first filing.
The design confers on its proprietor an exclusive right to use the design during the life of the business, to pursue a counterfeiter and to claim damages. It is a means of dissuasion against counterfeiting.