MBIP has a clear design registration process to ensure your designs are fully protected.
Design Registration
Secure exclusive rights for your product’s design
MBIP provides expert design registration services to safeguard the visual appearance of your products, helping you prevent unauthorised copying and strengthen your commercial advantage.
Comprehensive Knowledge Across Industries
Our experienced attorneys guide clients through the design registration process. We assist businesses of all sizes, from individual inventors to multinational companies, ensuring your product designs are protected.
Strategic, Client-focused Approach
We provide practical advice on what designs are registrable, the scope of protection, and whether to request examination. Our approach helps maximise the enforceability and commercial value of your registered designs while providing flexibility to adapt protection strategies as business needs evolve.
Benefits include:
Legal rights to exclude others from copying your design
Protection for both functional and visually distinctive products
Support for enforcement and commercialisation of your design assets
Our Process
Step-by-step guidance to secure your designs
Preparation of representations
Drawings or photographs that clearly show the visual features of your design.
Filing the application
Lodging with IP Australia, including a Statement of Newness and Distinctiveness.
Optional examination
Assessing whether the design is new and distinctive; advice on whether to request examination based on commercial objectives.
Registration & enforcement
Issuance of registration and certificate, providing rights to prevent unauthorised use.
Ongoing Support
Guidance on renewals, strategy for enforcement, and integration with other IP protections.
Our Design Registration Experts
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re after more personalised advice, get in touch with our team.
Designs that are new and distinctive in their visual appearance, including three-dimensional shapes, surface patterns, or a combination of both.
Australian registered designs last up to ten years, with a renewal payable after the first five years.
No. Protection focuses on visual features; functionality or attractiveness is not required under Australian law.
Examination is optional and typically requested when enforcement is anticipated, or early validation of protection is commercially beneficial.
It protects the appearance of a product, providing an additional layer of IP protection for products that may also be patentable for functional features.
More questions?