Industrial design is the look and feel of an item. It can be the 3D shape of the object, or the 2D designs like patterns, lines, or colors. You can find industrial design in almost everything from medical tools to jewelry, furniture, and even buildings! Industrial design is mostly about how the product looks, not how it works.
Advantages of Registering a Design
Protects from copying:
Firstly, if you register your design, others can’t just copy it without your permission. This helps you make money from your own creative ideas.
Better marketing:
Additionally, a nice industrial design can help sell more products. Registering your design helps you show off your unique product and attract customers.
Fair competition:
Furthermore, when everyone plays by the rules, it’s a fair game. Design registration encourages people to create new and interesting designs, which gives customers more choices.
Boosts economy:
Moreover, cool designs can make a country’s products more appealing, which can lead to more sales and a stronger economy.
Disadvantages of Not Registering a Design
Easy to copy:
To begin with, if you don’t register your industrial design, someone else can easily steal it and make their own version.
Unfair competition:
When people copy your design, it hurts your sales. Industrial design registration helps keep things fair.
What Can’t Be Registered?
Designs that aren’t new or original, that are already registered elsewhere or that industrial design that are just a way something works, not how it looks, Simple shapes or decorations, trademarks, logos, or copyrights, things that copy national symbols or flags, names or portraits of people (without permission)
Who Can Register a Design?
Anyone can register a design in Pakistan, as long as it’s new and original. You don’t even have to be the one who came up with the design in the first place!
How to Register a Design
First, confirm that you own the rights to the industrial design. This means it must be new and original, and not published anywhere else in the world. You can be the designer yourself, or if you hired someone to create it for you, then you’re the owner.
Next, head to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in Pakistan. They’ll provide you with a specific application form to fill out. Don’t forget to include clear pictures or even a sample of your design to show all its details. To strengthen your application, you can also write a statement explaining why your design is unique, but this is optional. There’s a fee involved as well, so be sure to check the IPO website for the current amount.
The IPO will then receive your application and examine it to make sure it meets their requirements. If they have any questions, they’ll get in touch with you for clarification. Once everything is approved, your design will be officially registered. The IPO will publish it in an official journal and issue you a registration certificate. The whole process usually takes around six months.
Conclusion
In short, registering your cool and original design protects it from being copied by others. This helps you sell more products and make money from your creative ideas. It also keeps things fair for everyone and encourages people to come up with new designs, which benefits both businesses and customers. So, if you have a great design, consider registering it! Need help with the process? Contact us at +92-316-1829946 or contact@osamakhalillaw.com for assistance.