Industrial design registration protects the visual appearance of a product — its shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation — rather than its function or the brand associated with it.
What design registration covers
Protection under the Registered Designs Ordinance 2000 applies to designs that are new and have not been previously published or used in Pakistan. It protects appearance, not the underlying function, which is the domain of patent protection instead.
Why businesses overlook it
Product appearance is frequently the most copied element of a successful product, yet many businesses register a trademark for their brand while leaving the product’s actual design unprotected, assuming trademark protection covers it. It does not.
Registration and duration
A registered design is protected for an initial period and may be renewed, subject to the requirements of the Ordinance. Registration should be sought before the design is publicly disclosed or put on the market.
What to do next
Bring representations or drawings of the design and details of when it was first created and whether it has already been disclosed publicly.