Advanced form

The Advanced application form is designed for more complex applications. You need to use this form to submit your own product indication, use an existing design as a template for your application, claim priority without having the supporting documentation or pay via a bank transfer. You must be a registered user to apply for a Community design. If you are not already registered, you will need tosign up.

RCD applications for non-EU residents
You can apply for an RCD if you live outside the European Union, but you will need to appoint a representative.

For information on how we examine design applications, please read our Guidelines.

Start your application

• Applicant reference

  Your reference should consist of up to 30 alphanumeric characters, using the Roman alphabet: a-z, A-Z, 0-9 and symbols. Do not use spaces.

  If you have any queries about your design in the future, please quote the RCD Application Number assigned by the Office.

• Use details of an existing RCD as a template

  Type in the previous design ID, either in part or in full — a list of existing designs for this will then be displayed — choose the one you want and click on ‘Import'. By selecting the option to import a design as a template, you will speed up the filing process as the details will be prepopulated. The various sections can then be edited with the details of your new RCD.

• Representative information

  There are two different ways of adding a representative.

  Adding an existing representative
  Type in the representative's name — a list of existing representatives will then be displayed — make your choice and click on ‘Import'. The representative's details will be shown; click on ‘Add' to continue.

  Adding a new representative

  1. Click on the ‘Create new' button and enter the details manually.
  2. Select the type of representative from the drop-down menu.
  3. Complete the rest of the form (mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk *).
  4. Click on the 'Add' button to continue.

  Selecting 'Employee representative' will bring up an 'Economic connections' checkbox. If you check it, you will have to fill out two additional fields, one describing the type of economic connection you have with the applicant (e.g. employee or business partner) and the other with the name of your employer. Employees acting on behalf of natural or legal persons must file a signed authorisation for insertion in the files.

• Applicant information

  There are two different ways of adding an applicant.

  Adding an existing applicant
  Type in the applicant's name — this will bring up a list of existing applicants — make your choice and click on ‘Import'. The applicant's details will then appear; click on the ‘Add' button to continue.

  Adding a new applicant

  1. Click on the ‘Create new' button and enter the details manually.
  2. Select the type of applicant from the drop-down menu.
  3. Complete the rest of the form (mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk *).
  4. Click on the 'Add' button to continue.
• Languages

  First language
  Select the language that you want to use for your application (first language) from the drop-down list; this can be any of 23 EU languages.

  Second language
  You must choose a second language from one of the five working Office languages (ES, DE, EN, FR and IT). The second language must be different from the first language that you have chosen. Please remember that your design could be challenged in this second language.

  If you would like to receive official correspondence in your second language, tick the corresponding checkbox.

Add a representation of your design

• Design(s) information

  Add your design views in two ways:

  • add images (JPEG format),
  • add a three-dimensional dynamic view and static views obtained from the 3D view.

  Images
  Use the drag-and-drop function or browse on your computer to upload your design images. You can upload up to seven protected images and up to three unprotected ones.

  You cannot upload views that are unprotected until you have uploaded seven protected views.

  The requirements of the images to be uploaded are:

  • 2MB per image,
  • JPEG format,
  • RGB, CMYK (which will be converted to RGB, possibly affecting the colours), Grayscale, BW or colour models. In order to avoid the automated conversion of colours and to keep their fidelity on the screen, it is recommended the use of RGB images, rather than CMYK.uploading of 3D dynamic views AND other static views is restricted,
  • printing resolution: min 72, max 300 DPI,
  • maximum image size: 5 000 x 5 000 pixels,
  • JPEG progressive images will be converted into baseline images.

  Attachment requirements (for priority claims, exhibition priorities, general authorisations for employee representatives):

  • PDF,
  • JPEG.

  Specifications
  The view must be reproduced on a neutral background and must be of a quality that allows all the details of the matter for which protection is sought to be clearly distinguished, and for it to be reduced or enlarged for entry in the Register and direct publication in the Community Designs Bulletin.

  The representation of the design may not contain any explanatory text, wording or symbols, or be numbered.

  Repeating surface patterns: Where registration of a design that consists of a repeating surface pattern is applied for, the representation of the design must show the complete pattern and a sufficient portion of the repeating surface.

  Typeface: Where registration of a design consisting of a typeface is applied for, the representation of the design must consist of a representation of a string of all the letters of the alphabet, upper case and lower case as applicable, and of all the Arabic numerals, as well as a text of five lines, all at 16-pitch.

  We recommend that you pay special attention to these specifications. Practice shows that non-compliance with them is one of the most frequent reasons for the Office to raise a deficiency, which inevitably leads to additional work and a considerable loss of time for our users.

  The use of other elements to help identify the features of a design
  The representation of a design should be limited to the features for which protection is sought. However, it may comprise other elements that help to identify the features of a design for which protection is sought. It is the applicant's responsibility to use, for example, dotted lines and boundaries in such a way as to make clear the features for which protection is sought.

  If you wish to highlight a certain part of the design, to show either that you are only claiming that specific part or that you are expressly not claiming it, you can use one of the following:

  • broken lines for indicating elements for which no protection is sought;

  • boundaries for surrounding features of the design for which you do want protection;

  • colour shading and blurring for excluding a number of features from protection;

  • separations for indicating that the precise length of the design is not claimed.

  No explanatory text, wording or additional symbols may be used in the design views.

  What are the key benefits of having images that are unprotected?

  • They are considered filed with the application form, which means that they can therefore form part of a priority claim in a subsequent application.
  • They can be used to explain the design and this may assist the examiner when assessing the protected images.
  • The applicant can review the images after uploading them and then change an unprotected view to a protected view and vice versa.

  Note: Views that are unprotected will be available in eSearch for design holders only.

  Three-dimensional dynamic views (3D dynamic views)
  RCD e-filing accepts a new representation type for views as a tool for obtaining views in the application: 3D dynamic views. If you upload a 3D dynamic view from your computer in OBJ, STL or X3D format, you will be able to obtain static views of protected or unprotected design images.

  3D dynamic views simulate 3D perspectives in 2D (the screen) because you can manipulate the view (by moving it or zooming in and out) to see the different perspectives. Any views captured from the 3D view cannot be manipulated (static views) and will be added to the form as a view for the corresponding design.

  Use the drag-and-drop function or browse your computer's files to upload 3D dynamic views of your design.

  3D dynamic views — technical specifications
  Once you have uploaded your 3D dynamic view to the RCD application form, it will be displayed with the following technical characteristics:

  • grey gradient background;
  • the 3D dynamic view itself is displayed in white;
  • 3D dynamic views can be uploaded in any of the following three formats: OBJ, STL or X3D;
  • maximum size for 3D models attachments -OBJ, STL, X3D- (for design views): 20MB;
  • static views obtained from the 3D dynamic view will be monochrome (in black and white);
  • shading: highlighting the 3D dynamic view with the light source based on the perspective of the user;
  • size in pixels is 490 x 315 and remains fixed. In the frame, users can see that the area available for the 3D dynamic view remains fixed if they make their browser larger or smaller;
  • when using the 3D dynamic view option, all static views must be taken from the 3D view.

  Note: The X3D file type is not supported by Internet Explorer 10 or earlier.

  Note: Designs consisting in or containing a surface ornamentation should be submitted without using 3D dynamic views.

  Note: Binary STL is not supported. You may convert your binary STL to standard STL using conversion tools.

  What are the key benefits of using 3D dynamic views?

  • When the design is published, it will appear in eSearch and will be available not only for examiners but for all interested parties, such as third parties and judges.
  • It will be clear that the static images come from a single design.
  • It will help to understand how the different static views relate to each other.
  • It will be very unlikely that the representation of the design is deficient, which benefits both applicants and the Office.

  How to move a 3D dynamic view?
  With a 3D view you can present your design from different camera viewpoints.

  To move a 3D dynamic view
  Use the arrows (left, right, up, down) on the keyboard and/or the zoom.

  
   

  Or use your mouse and click on the view itself.

  
   

  To make it easier to change the camera viewpoints, use the ‘Basic keyboard controls' option and select one of the views.

  
   

  How to create images of the view you want
  There are two ways.

  
  
  

  • After choosing the view from your 3D dynamic view, click on the ‘Create view from this viewpoint' button. The image will then appear as below.
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
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  • Click the ‘Create predefined views' button, which will automatically create all seven views shown on the basic keyboard controls. The images below will then appear.
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
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  You can create up to seven protected images and also use the function to create three more unprotected images.

  Move, delete and open an image
  Click on the ‘Move' icon on the image to change the order of the design views and to change unprotected images to protected ones.

  Click on the ‘Delete' icon on the image to delete the design view.

  Click on the uploaded image and open it in full size.

Choose your product indication

• Product indication(s)/Locarno Classification

  Product indication
  You will need to add a product indication. This does not affect the scope of protection of a registered Community design, but it is necessary for legal reasons. We strongly advise you to choose the product indication from the Eurolocarno list of products. Otherwise, your registration may be delayed owing to the need to translate the terms.

  You will have to provide a product indication for each design you are applying for.

  If you decide not to use the Eurolocarno list of products, your own product indication must be worded in such a way as to indicate clearly the nature of the product(s).

  Classification
  If you use the Eurolocarno list of products, you will automatically see which class the product belongs to.

  If you use your own product indication, you can also indicate the classification following the International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification). In the case of multiple applications, the products into which the designs are intended to be incorporated or to which they are intended to be applied must belong to the same class in the classification list (except in the case of ornamentation).

• How can I add a product indication?

  Before explaining how to add a product indication it is important to know that:

  • one design cannot exceed five terms;
  • in a multiple application all the terms have to be in the same class, with the exception of Class 32, which can be entered additionally (this is because ornamentation is contained in Class 32).

  The product indication and Locarno classification can be added in three different ways by:

  1. Entering the product that your design represents and clicking on the ‘Add' button: the term will be autocompleted and verified according to the Locarno Classification.

     
      

     If the product indication appears in a green box, this means that the term has been validated correctly. The class and subclass numbers will automatically appear in the left-hand ‘Locarno Classification' column.

     
      

  2. If you click on the ‘Browse' button, the entire list of Eurolocarno product indications will appear in a modal window.

     
     
     
      

     This tool helps you select the correct product indications, including classes and subclasses. You will need to enter the product indication in the search bar and click on the ‘Search' button, or search by class/subclass.

     
      

     All search results will then appear, with their class and subclass identification. Tick the box on the left of the list of results to select the correct product indication. When you have completed your selection, you can review the whole list by clicking on ‘View your selection' or on the ‘Next' button. Then click on ‘Continue' to finish the selection process and add the terms to your design application.

     If the term has been validated correctly, a correct indication of a product will appear in green dotted boxes and the class and subclass numbers will appear automatically in the left-hand column, ‘Locarno Classification'.

     
      

  3. ‘Enter my terms'. This option allows you to enter your own list of product indications. Whether or not you provide the class and subclass number from the Locarno Classification for each product indication is optional.

     Note: All product indications must be separated by a semicolon.

     
      

     If the term has been validated correctly, a correct indication of a product will appear in green dotted boxes and the class and subclass numbers will appear automatically in the left-hand column, ‘Locarno Classification'.

     A pending indication, which needs to be validated by an examiner, will appear in red dotted brackets.

     Click these icons in the action bar to edit or delete a term.

     
• Deferment and description

  Deferment
  When filing a Community design application, you can request that its publication be delayed for a period of up to 30 months. This way, your design can be kept confidential until you are ready to disclose it.

  You will need to pay the relevant publication fees to publish a design after a period of deferment. Alternatively, the publication fee can be paid together with the deferment fee when you submit the application. However, if you eventually decide not to publish, the publication fee will not be refunded.

  If you finally choose not to publish the design, and have not paid the publication fee, the registration will lapse at the end of the 30-month deferment period.

  How to stop deferment of a design publication
  You can stop deferment at any time through your User Area.

  If you want to stop the deferment of a RCD publication, navigate through the website, following the path below:

  1. Enter your User Area and click on ‘D ashboard’.
  2. Click on ‘Confidential RCDs’ and select the relevant RCD. Once you select it, you will be redirected to eSearch.
     
     
      
  3. In the second section of eSearch entitled ‘Actions and communications’, click on the ‘RCD’ button.
  4. Click on ‘Publish deferred design’ under the ‘Examination’ section.
     
     
      
  5. Complete the form.
  6. Click on ‘Confirm’ to submit your request. This will be received and processed by the EUIPO. It may take a few minutes for the new communication to appear in your Communications inbox.

  Description
  If you wish you can add a description of your design’s representation ,but this is optional.

   

  Article 1(2) CDIR states that the application may contain a single description per design not exceeding 100 words explaining the representation of the design or the specimen. The description must relate only to those features that appear in the reproductions of the design or the specimen. It should not contain statements as to the purported novelty or individual character of the design or its technical value.

  However, if the description does not comply with the Regulation, no objection is raised. The description is not examined, although the examiner may use it to resolve any doubts. For example, if there are two images showing different cards, the examiner must raise an objection; however, if the description indicates that what is shown are two different sides of the same card, no objection needs to be raised.

  Note: Descriptions will not be accepted after the date on which the application is filed.

  
• Designer(s) information

  This section is optional and the aim is to link the designer to the relevant design. However, if you select ‘Create new', you must provide the following information about the designer(s):

  • either the surname and first name of an individual designer;
  • or the name of the team of designers, where appropriate.

  
  
  
   

  If the Office has previously assigned an ID number to the designer, you will need to enter this number and the data will then be imported from the database.

  Where the designer has waived the right to be cited, please tick the appropriate box, ‘Waiver'.

  

Claim priority

• I want to claim priority

  If you have applied for the same design in the last six months, you can ask for a priority claim by clicking the ‘Add Priority' button:

  

  • select the 'Country of first filing' from the dropdown list;
  • type the priority number or design ID (the field will autocomplete if the design details are available in DesignView) and click on 'Import'; or
  • enter the details manually by clicking on the 'Create manually' button;
  • add the filing date and filing number.

  Note: If the first filing was not in one of the official EU languages, then a copy of the translation must be attached.

  Claim priority later
  Select the checkbox next to the 'Add priority' button if you want to claim priority at a later date (this can be done up to one month after the filing date).

  
• I want to claim exhibition priority

  Exhibition priority claim on application
  To add an exhibition priority claim to your application, click on the 'Add exhibition' button. This will open a new section.

  1. Select the exhibition name from the drop-down list.
  2. Add the date of first disclosure.
  3. Choose the option to attach the required documents at the time of application or at a later date (up to three months after the filing date).
  4. Click on the '+ Add' button.

  
   

  Claim exhibition later
  Select the checkbox next to the ‘Add exhibition' button if you want to claim exhibition priority at a later date (up to one month after the filing date).

  Note: Only a very small number of exhibitions, in particular world exhibitions, fall under this provision. For more information, visit the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).

  

Finish your application

• Save the design and copy from the design

  Once you have added all the required information about the design, save it. You will then be able to see a summary of your design information and edit it.

  
   

  To add a new design, click the ‘Add new' button or copy information from the design that you have already inserted by clicking the ‘Copy from design' button. If you have already submitted more than one design, you can choose the number of the design whose information you would like to copy.

  
• Drafts (save my application as a draft)
  When you are completing your application form, you can save the work already done at any time by saving the application as a draft. Click on the 'Save application' button in the right-hand column of the application represented by this icon . The draft can be accessed from the 'Drafts' section in your User Area.
• Reset my application

  If you want to start your application again, click the ‘Reset application' button and all the previously completed fields will be cleared and the information deleted.

• Print my application

  You can print out your application form at any point during the application process.

• Confirmation

  Review your details and your design details
  At this stage you can see the application details that you are about to submit; you can still modify these in ‘Design details' before submitting the application.

• Signature

  By completing the fields ‘First name and Surname' and ‘Capacity of signatory', you confirm that you have checked the details and wish to submit this application form.

  
   

  You can add one person as an additional signatory.

  Note: Remember that only physical persons are permitted to sign an application form.

  Once the application has been reviewed, click on the ‘Confirm and pay' button.

  
   

  You will need to choose the payment method you wish to use in the payment window. If you pay by bank transfer, we recommend that you make a note of the payment transaction code, as this will help to identify your payment.

  When you click on the ‘Confirm payment' button and ‘Continue' in the following window, your application will be submitted.

  
• What happens after I have submitted my application?

  Once the submission process has been completed, you will receive confirmation that your application has been correctly submitted, together with an official application number. You will also need to download your official receipt and confirmation in a single PDF file. Please note that the Office does not issue copies of receipts.