A design is considered to be any assembly of lines or colors , and a model is considered to be any plastic form associated or not with lines or colors provided that this assembly or form gives a special appearance to an industrial or handcrafted product and can serve as a type for the manufacture of an industrial or handcrafted product.
The protection of an industrial design covers the aesthetic, ornamental, and apparent appearance of an object. Industrial design protection does not cover the technical, functional, or utilitarian aspects of the object. Here, it is the external appearance of a product that is considered, not its functionality.
Protection procedure
To protect your industrial design, you must follow the relevant procedure by first submitting a registration application directly to the OAPI or one of its National Liaison Structures (NLS) present in each of the 17 member states. You can also do this through an agent . It is now possible to submit your application electronically . All applications for protection must be accompanied by proof of payment of the required fee . Before submitting any registration application, it is recommended to conduct a prior art search . The OAPI also offers you the possibility of protecting your industrial design abroad .
