12/06/2025
🔹 Digital and animated designs are now protected
Think GUIs, virtual products, VR assets, animated interfaces. This gives creators enforceable rights over assets that were once difficult to protect and encourage more investment in digital design.
🔹 Better tools to fight counterfeits and 3D printing misuse
New enforcement powers cover unauthorized 3D-printed designs—huge for industries investing heavily in R&D.
🔹 Faster, cheaper design registration
You can now register multiple designs across product categories in a single application. Big win for companies with product families or frequent variants.
🔹 No more “must be visible in use” rule
Internal parts and hidden features can now be protected. That opens up new areas of design strategy most companies have ignored.
🔹 Repair clause is permanent
Third parties can legally produce identical spare parts for repair. Your competitive edge now needs to come from design elements outside those parts.
🔹New Design Registration Symbol
The Ⓓ symbol can now be used to show a design is registered. This will help deter copying and promote transparency
What should businesses do now?
✔ Reassess your design portfolio—especially digital, hidden, or animated assets
✔ Align IP strategy across design, patent, and brand teams
✔ Review your filing and renewal plans to optimize timing and cost
Bottom line:
This new framework gives you more flexibility, more control, and more options—especially if you work in digital, consumer products, or manufacturing. Don’t wait to update your design strategy.