Registration process
You have just filed a design. What happens next? Is there anything you need to do?
Once received at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), your application will be checked by our examiners. If you have filed your design online, the route to registration will be straightforward. Most online filings are registered within a couple of days.
The following concerns applications filed directly with EUIPO. The International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) carries out most of the formalities check for international registrations filed with WIPO that designate the EU.
Examination criteria
Formal requirements
All applications go through a formalities check. When an examiner detects a problem, it is communicated to you or your representative (if you have appointed one) for remedying. You are normally given two months to respond to the examiner's objection (or deficiency letter as we refer to it). If this period is not sufficient, you can request an extension. In general, EUIPO grants a first request for extension automatically. However, a second extension request is granted only if sufficiently and properly justified.
Here are some examples of problems that can arise:
Solution
| The representation you have submitted is not suitable for reproduction, i.e. it is not clear from the representation what the protection sought is for. | Solution |
| The views you have submitted are inconsistent with each other. | Solution |
| You are either a company without a place of business or a real and effective establishment in the European Union, or you are an individual whose domicile is outside the European Union and you have not appointed a representative. | Solution |
| The fees you have paid do not cover all the designs you have applied for. | Solution |
| You have failed to indicate a product or the indication is erroneous. | Solution |
If your answer does not solve the problem, the examiner will refuse your design application either in its entirety or, in the case of a multiple application, for some of the designs. The examiner will issue a decision, which can be appealed if you disagree with it.
What we examine
EUIPO's substantive examination is limited to two issues:
- Is your design a design?
Does your design represent the appearance of the whole or part of a product? An examiner will issue a notification if they believe it does not. For example, a design representing a living plant would receive such a notification. - Does the design contain an element that goes against public policy and morality?
The concepts of public policy and morality may vary from one country to another. But given the unitary character of an RCD, it is enough that a design be found contrary to public policy in at least part of the European Union for the design to be refused.
If an examiner deems your design to be in breach of either of these two rules, they will send a deficiency letter offering you the possibility of withdrawing or amending the representation of the design. You can also submit observations. If you decide to submit an amended representation of the design, this representation will be admissible on condition that the 'identity of the design' is retained. Obviously, you cannot submit a completely different design. You can only remove or disclaim insignificant features, i.e. those likely to go unnoticed by the informed user.
If you do not answer at all or do not solve the problem highlighted by the examiner, they will send a notification that the design is refused. This decision can also be appealed.
Excluded from examination
The Office will not, of its own motion, check whether your design is new or if it possesses individual character. Third parties can request that your design be declared invalid. The invalidity procedure can only be launched against a design once it has been registered and not during the registration process.
Proof of registration
If no problem is detected or if you solve any issues arising, your design will be registered. It will also be published in the Community Designs Bulletin. If you have asked for your design to be deferred, only the design number, the filing date, the registration dates and the names of the applicant and representative will be published. The representation of the design itself will not be published.
A registration certificate is issued online after the registered Community design has been published in full. You are invited to download the certificate from the day after publication. A paper copy of the certificate of registration will not be issued. However, uncertified or certified copies of the registration certificate may be requested.
How to challenge an Office decision
Parties adversely affected by a final decision can file an appeal. If you wish to file an appeal, you can use our paper form. If you need to, you can also consult the explanatory notes. You can also do this online through your User Area.
