Patents protect unique and useful inventions- but how can you protect the IP of unique designs applied to common products?
Read this IP Conversation to find out!
Hey IP Geek.
One of my friends made a very unique coffee mug design, and he wants to mass-produce and sell it.
Is there any way to prevent other people from using this design?
The Designs Act, 2000 protects original aesthetic appearances given to articles capable of being made and sold separately.
Starbucks cups, for example, have been granted design protection in the USA.
Common use items sold en masse which have unique designs and patterns, such as clothes, household items, and even larger objects like automobiles and furniture, are eligible for Design protection.
Designs get protection only for 10 years compared to the 20 years granted by patents. However, Design protection is a lot easier and faster to obtain, and there are no annual renewal fees.
Design protection can also be renewed for another 5 years, on request. In contrast, getting a patent granted is trickier, takes longer, and costs more.
Wow! every day I hear about new types of IP Protection!
Thanks for letting me know about this, IP Geek.
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