Your product’s design deserves proper protection
The look of a product, or even of just part of a product, is becoming increasingly vital to its success. Products with their own, distinctive personality generate more interest among consumers, and exclusive rights on a product design can give businesses a competitive advantage over the competition.
Protection
The Italian system provides for the protection of a product’s external appearance through the legal institution of Design (registered and unregistered). Specifically, a registered Design protects the appearance of a product as it pertains to the characteristics of its lines, contours, colours, shape and surface structure, as well as the materials of the product itself and/or of its ornamental components.
Uniqueness
The distinctive feature required for the protection of a Design can become an element of uniqueness that allows the company to stand out and be recognised by consumers through the mere shape of its product. Thus, a good Design won’t just reflect the ability of its designer but also embody a company’s vision and convey its identity.
STRATEGY
According to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), design is a crucial strategic asset that is even more effective when implemented from the earliest stages of planning, rather than being thought of as a merely cosmetic element. For this reason, Design is playing an increasingly key role even for companies whose products feature advanced technological contents.
Our consultants are qualified professionals accredited by the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (Ufficio Italiano Brevetti e Marchi), the World Intellectual Property Organization and the European Union Intellectual Property Office
We can assist you with the following operations:
Preparing and filing registrations of designs and models in Italy and abroad
Consulting and support for examination, opposition and appeal procedures
Prior art searches and opinions as to the validity and registrability of a design or model
Managing expirations and forwarding all relative notifications
Periodic or ongoing monitoring of designs, or of designs held by an owner
Filing transcription and recording petitions for the transfer or updating of ownership
Assistance in planning corporate strategies in the area of creative innovation
Appraisal reports
Support in preparing transfer contracts and design licensing agreements
Consulting on all infringement-related matters
In-house corporate training on design-related aspects for technical and sales personnel
Due diligence
News related to Designs:
Design Economy Report 2022: the future of design is sustainability
The Italian design, since the Second World War, has always been one of the most important engines of the economic boom. Today, in the midst of an ecological and digital transition (moreover accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic), the Italian design is once again called...
Nikola’s lawsuit against Tesla for design patent infringement is still pending
Tesla, the famous company founded by Elon Musk, is facing a two-billion-dollar lawsuit filed by Nikola, a hydrogen trucking startup, for infringement of design patents. The dispute was initiated in 2018, with reference to Tesla’s “Tesla Semi” product, which allegedly...
Crocs accuses 21 brands of copying its “iconic design”
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