Design registration in Germany

Here you can instruct us to protect your design in Germany. We will apply for a registered design for you. Our price includes the official fees.

Liesegang & Partner offers comprehensive support in the registration of designs in Germany. We help you to legally protect your creative ideas and strengthen your market position. Here you can find out how we guide you through the design application process and what advantages design protection offers you.

Why is design protection important?

Design protection grants you the exclusive right to use the external shape and design of your product and to take action against imitations. This includes the shape, colors and surface textures of an object and can be renewed for up to 25 years. A registered design protects you from competitors and strengthens your market position by protecting your creative ideas from unauthorized use by third parties.

Within the EU, the publication of a new design also gives you the three-year protection of an unregistered Community design. Documentation of the publication is required in the event of an infringement. However, the protection only includes the right to prohibit imitations. Independent parallel creations cannot be challenged.

Our service for design applications

1. consultation and search:

We offer comprehensive advice on the requirements and the design application process. A thorough search (optional) is crucial to ensure that your design is new and unique and does not infringe any existing rights. We use the DPMA's search tools such as DPMAregister and DEPATISnet (German Patent and Trade Mark Office).

2. preparation of the application documents:

Our experts support you in preparing all the necessary documents:

Application for registration: This contains all the necessary information about the applicant.
Visual representation of the design: We ensure that your design illustrations meet the formal requirements and that all features are clearly recognizable. High-quality photos or drawings are crucial as they define the scope of protection.
Product details: We advise you on the selection of the correct product details required for the application.

3. filing the application:

We handle the electronic filing of your design application with the DPMA and payment of the official fees for the application and registration of the design. Our experts ensure that all formalities are complied with and that your application is processed quickly and efficiently.

4. after the application:

After successful filing, we support you in monitoring and enforcing your design rights. We help you to take action against infringements of your rights and advise you on options for licensing and marketing your design.

Advantages of a professional design application

Experience and expertise: Our law firm has many years of experience in trademark and design law. Our specialized attorneys have successfully handled numerous design applications.

Individual support: We offer you individual and tailor-made advice. Every design application is unique and we take the time to understand and implement your specific needs and requirements.

Comprehensive service: From the initial consultation to the preparation of the application documents and the enforcement of your design rights - we offer you a comprehensive service from a single source.

Legal Basics: Registering a design in Germany

I. Formal requirements

Up to 7 images showing only your design from all perspectives against a neutral background
Contact details of the client
Contact details of the future owner as well as his nationality
the name of the designer(s) of the product
if necessary, a description of the design if it has characteristics not apparent from the illustrations

II. Classification

Locarno Classification
A multiple application within one Locarno class is possible.

III. Application procedure

There is no examination as to novelty and individual character.
An accelerated procedure is possible

IV. Scope of protection

Exclusive right of use
Unauthorized offering, production, sale and possession of protected designs can be punished
Color and shape design are protected
Three-dimensional and two-dimensional designs are protected
Often the same overall impression is also protected.

V. Opposition proceedings

After registration, an application for cancellation can be filed due to lack of novelty or lack of individual character.

VI. Term of protection

5 years calculated from the date of application
If an accelerated procedure is used, the period of protection is counted from 6 months before the date of filing of the application

VII. Extension of the term of protection

Extension is possible for a period of 5 years at a time
The maximum term of protection is 25 years

Alternatively Registration via Hague Agreement possible	Yes
Protection Period (years)	5
Power of Attorney must be notarized	No
max period of protection maximum (years)	25
Legal Advice	Yes
Flat fee incl. official fees	Yes

Design Registration Germany