Timeline for the application process
Get an overview of the complete timeline from what you should think of before you apply, until after you have obtained an exclusive right.
How to apply for design registration
If you file a well prepared application you have a good possibility of obtaining a sole right. We will guide you through some of the important assessments you must make before you file the application.
Is your design new?
To obtain an exclusive design right, your design must be new. This means that the appearance of your registered design must be different from any design that already exists. If you want to check if a similar design is already registered or applied for, you can make a search in our design register.
My applications and receipts
Have you already started an application process, or do you want to pay for renewal of your design? Log in to follow your case.
Design should be fully developed
After filing your application with us, you can not make any changes that affect the design's overall look. You should therefore postpone filing your application until your design is finished.
Images of the design
You can include up to seven images of the design in your application. The images define the scope of your protection. It is therefore very important that you submit good, clear images of the design.
You can use line drawings, photographs or data drawings.
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You can file pictures in colours or in grey scale or black and white. Pictures in grey scale or black and white give protection for all colours. For pictures in colours, each colour or colour combination counts as different designs.
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You can show your design from several views, but only one view per image.
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The images must be clear and sharp.
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The design must be shown clearly against a neutral background. Avoid distracting shadows and light refelctions.
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The images must not contain other elements, people, explanatory text or measurements.
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You can register a part of a product. Outline the section that is not included in the design with dotted lines, or show the part separately.
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Product indication
The purpose of the product indication is for us to decide which class the design belongs to.
Write a short and simple term that explains what type of product the design refers to. It may be "chair", "ship", "graphic symbol" and so on. You must not describe the appearance of the design or how it is made. If there is no term for the product, please write a brief explanation of what function the product fills.
Classification
NIPO places all designs in different classes according to the product type of the design. For this we use the Locarno Classification which an international system for placing designs in classes and sub classes.
If you know what class your design belongs to, you can write this in the application form. If you do not know this, you can leave this field empty. If you write in the wrong class, we will fix this for you. The class involves no limitation of the scope of the registration, it is only an administrative tool to organize our registers.
More designs in the same application
You may file multiple designs in the same application if all the designs are in the same class, that is if they belong to the same product category.
For example, if you have designed a table, a chair and a bed, you can file all the designs in the same application because they are all furniture. It is cheaper to file multiple designs in the same application, rather than filing each design in separate applications.
When we look at how many designs there are in an application, we see if the object shown in the images is exactly the same on all images. If there are any differences in the appearance of the object, we count them as different designs.
A cup with a lid and the same cup without a lid, are two designs. The lid by itself is a third design.
A red cup and the same cup in blue and black, are three designs.
The same cup with different ornamentation or with added accessories, are three different designs.
Find started or submitted application?
If you have already started a design application, you can find it again in Altinn and complete it. Here you will also find all further correspondence in the application process. Letters will be available under "My messages" and in your message box in Altinn. Your receipt will be available here afterwards.
Payment
When using our Application Guide, you pay when you file the application.
If you file the application through Altinn, you can choose if you want to pay at the same time as you file or if you want us to send you an invoice.
Customers with no Norwegian national ID number must use special forms.
How do we process the application?
When we process an application for design rights, we follow a number of condtions in the Designs Act.
The Design Act sets out a number of condtions that must be met to enable us to register a design. We examine whether these conditions are met before we register the design:
- The application fulfils the formal requirements, such as specifying who is the applicant and who is the designer, and attaching clear pictures of the design.
- The application applies to a product for which you can register a design, and not, for example, a concept or an idea.
- The design does not contain a national flag or infringe public order and morals.
The Design Act also sets out a number of conditions that must be met for a design registration to be valid, but that do not prevent us being able to register the design. We do not examine whether the following conditions are met before we register the design:
- The design is new, that is to say that it has not been shown in public, for more than 12 months before you filed the application, or before the priority date.
- The design has an individual character, that is to say that there are no other designs in our register or in the market that give the same overall impression.
- The design does not infringe the rights of others to a trademark, photography, copyright or public control marks.
- The design is visible to the user in normal use.
- The design does not solely fulfil a technical function.
Reasons that prevent us from registering a design
- The design does not show the appearance of a product or part of a product.
- The design contravenes public order and morals.
- The design contains an official coat of arms, national flag or similar without permission.
What happens next?
Do you need help in the application process?
Get an overview of what opportunities you have and what you must do if you want to file an application. The experts at NIPO have long experience and know what you should think about.
Start an application for design registration
Go directly to our application guide and start the application process. The link goes to a login page. When you are logged in, you can start the application.
Register your design in other countries
A design registration gives protection only in the country where it is registered. See if you should register your design in other countries.
When you have acquired a right
When you have acquired a design registration, you should consider how you can best take advantage of your right. Learn what to consider.