03/10/2017

A website address can now denote registered product designs (UK)

Since 1 October, designers have been able to mark a product with a ‘free to access’ website address that clearly sets out its registered design number/s and achieve the same degree of protection that could formerly only be secured by putting the registered design number/s on the product itself.

While marking a product with its registered design number is optional, it provides a designer with the best chance of being awarded financial remedies if a design is infringed,  as infringers can no longer claim that they were unaware – and had no reasonable grounds for supposing – that the design was registered.

While registered design owners continue to have the option of marking their products with registered design numbers, the use of the web address is cheaper and more convenient. It also makes it easier for the public to access up-to-date registered design information on the product.

A similar system has been available for patents since October, 2014.

‘Guidance Registered designs: displaying your rights’ explains how to use the website address option.