A Design is about shape and features that appeal to the eye.
Some designs are necessitated by function and others are aesthetic. Design is about the shape, form, pattern, ornamentation and configuration of a product or article.
There are 2 types of designs that one can register:
- An aesthetic design
- Has to be new and original
- Beauty is in its shape, configuration or ornamentation
- Must be able to be produced by an industrial process
- A functional design
- Has to be new and not commonplace
- Where the shape or configuration is necessitated by the function
- Must be able to be produced by an industrial process
The process for applying for registration of your design involves a number of steps.
You need to make sure you understand and complete each step so that your application can be processed quickly and easily.
Protection is afforded to aesthetic designs for one period of 15 years, and to functional designs for one period 10 years.
Registered designs have to be renewed annually before the expiration of the third year, as from the date of lodgment.
Click here to register as a customer.
You may also follow a step-by-step guide.
- R590 for each class category
Patent application:
- R60 for provisional patent application
- R590 for complete patent application or PCT national entry application
Design application:
- R240
Copyright application:
- R510
For bank account details, click here.
Use your 6-character long customer code as a reference when making a deposit.
Complete form D1 – Application and Acknowledgment
It should be lodged (in duplicate for manual filing only)
Enter the classification index (class number) in terms of the Design Classification (Locarno Classification available on the WIPO website).
In case you experience difficulties in defining the classification index, you may apply to the Registrar of Design to do so upon payment of the prescribed fee (R240.00). Please note that you have to write your CIPC customer code on form D1.
Form D2: Register of Designs Complete and lodge (in duplicate for manual filing only)
Form D3: Power of Attorney
Form D6: Definitive Statement (compulsory) and Explanatory Statement (optional except for integrated circuits layout, mask work, or series of mask works where the Explanatory Statement is compulsory) Lodge in duplicate (applicable only for manual filing). The definitive statement should be a description of the features of the design for which protection is sought (e.g. shape, pattern, ornamentation, configuration, as applicable).
Form D8: Publication Particulars Lodge in duplicate (applicable only for manual filing) The “brief statement of features” shall be a single paragraph of not more than 100 words. Essentially this is a combination of the definitive and explanatory statement (as per D6 ) Together with the documentation listed above, “Representations” in the form of drawings, or photographs need to be included. These could be 7 identical representations (only 1 representation is required for e-filing), either drawings or photographs. Each drawing should be on an A4 paper, or each photograph mounted on A4 paper.
Enclose different perspectives (as applicable) e.g. top view, side view, front view, 7 of each are required. Select one view for publication and provide 2 copies clearly indicating “for publication”. All drawings/photographs except those designated for publication should be signed. Important: Please note that multiple copies are not applicable to e-filing. Submit the design application and supporting documents by either posting the applications or dropping off the application in the drop-off box at the CIPC Self Help Terminals at Sancardia Mall, 1st floor.
