DESIGN PROCEEDINGS ARE HARMONISED WITH EU
The design chapter includes changes seekings to achieve compliance with the relevant directives of European Union. The major changes relate to the design proceedings are as follows:
The name of the related chapter has been changed from ‘’Industrial Designs’’ to ‘’Designs’’.
All designs shall be protected, regardless of being industrial or not.
Designers may demand to keep their names secret in design applications
Publication period of designs is decreased to 3 months from 6 months.
Unseen parts/devices (e.g. parts of an engine) cannot be registered as designs.
Novelty examination is introduced for design applications.
TPTO shall conduct this examination ex-officio and shall decide to publish the application or not
The criterion for distinctiveness is changed to ‘’difference’’ from ‘’significant difference.
Design
