Your design – protected against imitation

We support clients in registering their designs – with personal consultation, tailored strategies, and protection against imitation.

Drafting of professional design applications – including for complex products
Advice on how to avoid existing designs or design rights
Optimal representation of your product in the application – including for multiple variants
Design protection for Amazon sellers – safeguards against imitation and listing copies
Filing with the DPMA, EUIPO or WIPO
Coordination of global design protection through our international network of patent attorneys
Personal advice from experienced patent attorneys
Transparent fixed fees – no hidden costs

Design protection for online sellers – why a registered design makes the difference

Online platforms like Amazon, Etsy or eBay have democratized market access – but they have also increased the need for protection. Sellers of innovative products are quickly faced with imitations. Without a registered design, there is often little recourse. The situation becomes critical when a third party registers the design with the DPMA or EUIPO and manages to block your own listings.

A registered design protects the external appearance of your product and allows you to assert formal IP rights on platforms like Amazon.

We advise clients on how to present their product effectively and register variations efficiently – ensuring robust protection for your innovation.

Presenting your product in the application

The correct presentation of a product in a design application is crucial for determining the scope of protection. The boundaries of protection are fixed upon filing – subsequent changes are generally not permitted. Incomplete or ambiguous views can result in competitors bypassing protection or in ambiguity during enforcement. At the same time, unnecessary limitations should be avoided.

We provide comprehensive advice on optimal presentation, the selection of appropriate formats and the choice of views to ensure a clear and enforceable scope of protection.

Design search before market entry – keeping IP rights in view

Before launching a new product, it is advisable to check for existing design rights. Registered designs protect the appearance of a product and may affect your scope of action. Our experienced patent attorneys analyze relevant IP rights and advise on how to shape your product to avoid infringement. Early analysis ensures legal certainty and freedom to operate.

What can be protected as a design?

Design protection covers the external appearance of a product, including its shape, lines, colours and surface texture. Examples of protectable designs include:

Furniture, watches, textiles, electrical appliances
Packaging, decorative elements and patterns
User interfaces and graphical user interfaces (GUI)
Motion sequences and animations

We help assess the eligibility of your designs for protection and develop a well-considered filing strategy – to ensure strong and lasting design protection.

Design protection for online sellers – why a registered design makes a difference

Online platforms such as Amazon, Etsy or eBay have made market access more democratic – while also increasing the need for protection.
Those who market innovative products often face imitation. Without a registered design, legal action is limited.
Critical situations arise when a third party registers the design with the DPMA or EUIPO and can block your own listings.

A registered design protects the visual appearance of your product and enables formal enforcement of rights on platforms such as Amazon.

We support our clients in presenting their products strategically and registering variants efficiently – to ensure robust protection of their innovations.

Product representation in your design application

The way a product is represented in a design application is decisive for the scope of protection.
The scope is legally defined at the time of filing – later amendments are generally not possible.
Incomplete or unclear depictions can lead to gaps in protection or ambiguity in enforcement. At the same time, unnecessary limitations should be avoided.

We assist our clients with selecting the appropriate views and representations to establish a clear and enforceable scope of protection.

Design clearance before market entry – keeping existing rights in mind

Before launching a new product, it is advisable to check for existing design rights.
Registered designs define the appearance of products and can limit commercial options.

Our patent attorneys analyze relevant rights and develop solutions that allow our clients to design their products while avoiding conflicts.
Early clearance ensures freedom to operate and legal certainty.

What qualifies for design protection?

Design protection covers the external appearance of a product, including shape, lines, colors and surface texture.
The following are examples of protectable designs:

Furniture, watches, textiles, electronic devices
Packaging, patterns and decorative elements
User interfaces and graphical user interfaces (GUI)
Motion sequences and animations

We support our clients in assessing the protectability of their designs and in developing a filing strategy tailored to their commercial goals.

Request an Initial Assessment

Do you have legal questions regarding your design?
Send us the relevant details – we will review your case and get back to you promptly with a tailored response.