Basic Guide for Industrial Design
Overview
The Industrial Design registration protects the ornamental aspects of an object that may be reproduced industrially – both its three-dimensional shape and its two-dimensional aspects, such as prints and patterns applied.
One may apply for such registration if one has created, for example, a new ornamental shape of a timepiece, toy, vehicle, packaging, or even the design pattern of a fabric print.
However, the registration does not apply to the protection of the technical, functional, or technological aspects of a good or to the protection of trademarks and logos. It is only intended to protect the appearance of the good.
See also:
Get the documents ready
In order to file an Industrial Design application, it is necessary to:
- Read the Industrial Design laws and regulations.
There are differences between filing industrial designs regarding the shape of a product and pattern or surface designs to be applied onto a given product.
See how to file drawings or photographs in item 5.5 of the Industrial Design Guide.
Pay the GRU
Check out the costs of the services. Please keep in mind that INPI offers discounts for:
- Individuals;
- Micro-enterprises;
- Individual micro entrepreneurs;
- Small-sized companies;
- Cooperatives;
- Education and research institutions;
- Nonprofit entities; e
- Public agencies.
In order to pay fees, the following are required:
- Register at e-INPI; e
- Issue and pay the Federal Government Payment (GRU) - keep the number of the GRU generated, because it will be necessary on the next stage.
Start the application
You must only begin the application after you pay the relevant GRU.
Use the number of the already paid GRU to start your application.
Access the online system to file your Industrial Design application and fill out the form.
See also:
Keep track
The application has two different stages, which may require that the user sends new documents.
Understand the path of the application.
In order not to miss the deadlines, it is important to monitor the progress of the application. You can do so in the following manners:
- Check the RPI (INPI’s Gazette), published every Tuesday.
- Access the search tool and insert your application into “Meus Pedidos” (My Applications). Then, you will receive an email whenever you process begins a new stage.
Warning: this is an extra service provide by INPI and does not replace consultation with the RPI.
In case of doubts during the process, forward your question to the system Fale Conosco (Contact Us).
In the subject of the message, choose one of the following subjects:
- Desenho Industrial [Área Administrativa] - (Industrial Design [Administrative Area]): questions about how to file your application, formal requirements examination, secrecy of the application and author secrecy, power of attorney, issuance of the certificate, maintenance and extinction of the registration.
- Desenho Industrial [Área Técnica] - (Industrial Design [Technical Area]): questions about whether your design may be registered, legal requirements for the granting of the registration, technical examination, substantive examination, submission of amendments and dismissal, nullity actions.
- Recursos e Processos Administrativos de Nulidade (Resources and Invalidation Procedures before the Office): questions about nullity procedures and applications on appeal against technical decisions.
INPI provides a search system. In this system, you may carry out a search by keywords, number of the application or registration, and name of the applicant of the registration.
Access the industrial design search system.
To schedule a viewing of the content of your industrial design application or registration, send an email to vistadi@inpi.gov.br. This email is only used to schedule viewings.
For other subjects, send a message to the Fale Conosco (Contact us).
After filing the application
You will need to pay a maintenance fee on the fifth year after the application. That fee shall be paid every five years.
The registration is valid for 10 years and may be renewed for three further periods of five years each.