industrial design
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Preserve the uniqueness of your product designs with professional registration services,
granting you exclusive rights in competitive markets.

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What is an Industrial design?

An industrial design/design patent is the ornamental or aesthetic aspect of an article. The design may consist of three-dimensional features such as the shape and configuration of an article, or two-dimensional features, such as pattern and ornamentation.

The design features must be applied to an article by any industrial process or means of which the features in the finished article appeal to eye.

Why Protect Your Industrial Design?

Protecting your industrial design ensures that you have exclusive rights over the visual and ornamental features of your product. This legal protection prevents others from copying or imitating your designs, allowing you to maintain a competitive edge in the market.

With an industrial design protection, you can:

Prevent unauthorized reproduction of your design

Increase the commercial value of your product

Safeguard your unique product identity

Enhance brand recognition through distinctive designs

Non-Registrable for Industrial Design Protection

A method or principle of construction

The designs of an article is dependant upon the designs of another article

A design differs only in immaterial details or features

The features of the article are dictated solely by function

Intellectual Property (IP) Protection in Southeast Asia

Industrial designs protect the visual design or aesthetics of an object. ASEAN countries grant protection based on registration, with terms ranging from 5 to 25 years.

Filing Requirements
  1. Applicant’s name and address.
  2. Title and brief description of the design.
  3. Representation of the design.
  4. Appointment of THE IP CO. as your Trusted Design agent.
Documents Required
  1. Applicant Details (Individual / Company) for Application.
  2. Drawings or photographs of the design.
  3. Power of Attorney appointing THE IP CO. (if required).
  4. Priority document (if claiming priority).
  5. Payment for official fees.

Malaysia

  • Design Filing in English Allowed.
  • Protection lasts for 25 years (Renewal every 5 years).
  • Grace period for prior disclosure: 6 months.
  • Require certified copy of the priority document and its English translation (softcopy).
  • Multiple design applications allowed.
  • Both Formality & Substantive Examination required.

Singapore

  • Design Filing in English Allowed.
  • Protection lasts for 15 years (Renewal every 5 years).
  • Grace period for prior disclosure: 6 months.
  • Require certified copy of the priority document and its English translation (softcopy).
  • Multiple design applications allowed.
  • Only Formality Examination required

Philippines

  • Design Filing in English Allowed.
  • Protection lasts for 15 years (Renewal every 5 years).
  • Grace period for prior disclosure: 6 months.
  • Require certified copy of the priority document and its English translation (softcopy).
  • Multiple design applications allowed.
  • Only Formality Examination required.

Brunei Darussalam

  • Design Filing in English Allowed.
  • Protection lasts for 15 years (Renewal every 5 years).
  • Grace period for prior disclosure: 6 months.
  • Require certified copy of the priority document and its English translation (softcopy).
  • Multiple design applications allowed.
  • Only Formality Examination required.

Indonesia

  • Requires Indonesian language translation for Design Filing.
  • Protection lasts for 10 years (Renewal every 5 years).
  • Grace period for prior disclosure: 6 months.
  • Require certified copy of the priority document and its English translation (softcopy).
  • Multiple design applications allowed.
  • Only Formality Examination required. Substantive Examination (if opposition).

Thailand

  • Requires Thai language translation for Design Filing.
  • Protection lasts for 10 years (Renewal every 5 years).
  • Grace period for prior disclosure: 6 months.
  • Require certified copy of the priority document and its English translation (softcopy).
  • Multiple design applications NOT allowed.
  • Both Formality & Substantive Examination required.

Cambodia

  • Requires Khmer language translation for Design Filing.
  • Protection lasts for 15 years (Renewal every 5 years).
  • Grace period for prior disclosure: 6 months.
  • Require certified copy of the priority document and its English translation (softcopy).
  • Multiple design applications allowed.
  • Only Formality Examination required.

Laos

  • Requires Lao language translation for Design Filing.
  • Manual Search (no official database)
  • Protection lasts for 15 years (Renewal every 5 years).
  • Grace period for prior disclosure: 6 months.
  • Require certified copy of the priority document and its English translation (softcopy). PoA notarized by the Notary Public.
  • Multiple design applications allowed.
  • Both Formality & Substantive Examination required.

Vietnam

  • Requires Vietnamese language translation for Design Filing.
  • Protection lasts for 15 years (Renewal every 5 years).
  • Grace period for prior disclosure: 6 months.
  • Require certified copy of the priority document and its English translation (softcopy).
  • Multiple design applications allowed.
  • Both Formality & Substantive Examination required.

Myanmar

  • There is presently no functioning system of patent and design protection in Myanmar. Companies should be aware of this limitation and discuss with us what strategies may be available.
  • Manual Search (no official database)
  • Re-registration in the form of Declaration.
  • Re-publication in the local daily newspapers or weekly journals.
  • Evidence of use or promotion of goods or services bearing the mark/idea/design in Myanmar or any other use is required for renewal.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the period of protection?

A registered industrial design is given an initial protection period of 5 years from the date of filing and is extendable for a further four consecutive terms of 5 years each. The maximum protection period is 25 years.

How extensive is industrial design protection?

An industrial design registered in a specific country is only protected in that country. In order to have your designs protected in other countries, applications for registration will have to be filed within six month from the earliest date when it was first filed in any of the Paris Convention member countries.

How soon can one manufacture and sell articles made to design?

Anytime after the application has been filed. Applicants wishing to exploit the design in foreign markets may do so by obtain well corresponding protection abroad.

Are registered designs made public?

Registered designs are open to public inspection and the details of the registration and the details of the registration are recorded in the Register of Industrial Designs and published in the Intellectual Property Official Journal.

What is a registrable industrial design?

To be registrable an industrial design must be New at the date an application for its registration is filed. A design is considered to be new only if it has not been made available or disclosed to the public in any way whatsoever in specific country or elsewhere before the filing date of the application and it is not on the record the Register of Industrial Designs.

What sort of designs is excluded from registration?

The designs of certain types of article are specifically excluded from design registration.

Who can apply for design registration?

Only the owner of a design may apply to register the design, by appointing an us as Industrial Designs Agent.