Design rights protect design work

A design right means an exclusive right to commercial exploitation of a product’s appearance. For example, a new packaging or a novel shape of a mobile device can be protected against imitators. The aim is to encourage new design and to support those who are prepared to invest in design.

You can obtain the exclusive right to a design by registering it in the design register of the Finnish Patent and Registration Office. Only designs that are new and have individual character can be registered. In European Union it is also possible to register a Community design, or to obtain protection for an unregistered design, which is valid for a shorter period.

More information about design rights:

Finnish Patent and Registration Office
European Union Intellectual Property Office
World Intellectual Property Organization

Further information:

Stiina Löytömäki
stiina.loytomaki(at)gov.fi