Industrial Design Granting in Germany
Once the design patent gets a positive decision, it is issued. No active steps are required from the applicant at this stage. The patent remains effective for 15 years without maintenance fees
Once the design patent gets a positive decision, it is issued. No active steps are required from the applicant at this stage. The patent remains effective for 15 years without maintenance fees
How it works
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Within minutes, create a request with an AI assistant and receive offers from dozens of local IP attorneys
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Review offers, compare them, and select the most suitable option. Complete your transaction securely
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Stay informed on the progress and communicate with your attorney through the platform until the process is complete
Industrial Design Granting in Germany
From $50
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An AI-powered IP assistant that helps you create a detailed assignment within minutes.
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Selection of the most suitable local design attorney based on specific criteria.
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Receiving a Notice of Allowance and issuance of a patent certificate.
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Online monitoring and reporting on the platform throughout the entire process.
Why iPNOTE?
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More than 800 IP law firms from 150+ countries, ranking and reviews
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An AI-powered IP assistant that helps create tasks and find relevant attorneys
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Flat fees, secure and fast online payments with guaranteed results
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24/7 access to the registration process and online data storage for all your cases
Our clients
Testimonials
Chris
Raylightenergy, China
Wow, what a great service and you will find that the providers are much cheaper than goig direct. All the attorneys are screened and verified so no need to wonder if you are buying a legitimate service. Have used twice so far and will use it again.
Maria
Sherridge, UK
At a glance iPNOTE is a platform designed for professionals. But at the same time they have so helpful customer support that got me through all stages literally by hand. Being client oriented is a relic feature for modern digital services that trying to automate almost each step.
Jeffrey
Tyan Group LLC, USA
First time going through them and they did not disappoint! I got my trademarked filed right away, and Ian clearly explained everything to me! Great service and fair price!! Plan on using them again!
Hayk
IMAST, USA
Thanks for the excellent service. I managed to register my trademark swiftly and without unnecessary hassle.
Anton
Practico, USA
Great service, thank you! I didn't understand the trademark registration process at all and just want someone to do this job for me. They did it, I'm happy!
Maria
s16vc, USA
Amazing service! I needed to register a trademark in multiple jurisdictions and IP Note helped me. Reliable, fast and transparent process, easy communication with patent attorneys all over the world. Highly recommended.
Tamila
Besample, USA
Easy and fast to onboard, many useful insights. Definitely will continue to use it.
Andrey
Biomicrogels Group, UK
User-friendly app with great functionality and design! All necessary information about IP in one place. In addition to information about patents, there is the ability to set reminders and tasks, track progress, and communicate directly with service providers. And yes, the marketplace is an excellent opportunity to save a significant part of IP budget!
Mikita
BRASK, UAE
I liked working with the Ipnote. Clear, convenient process of finding contractors + there is constant support from the service itself on many issues. We were able to file trademark applications in the USA quickly. Now we will continue in other countries, using the help of the service.
Dmitry
Nucular, Hong Kong
Very professional and fast work. We recommend this company for trademark registration.
Anton
Insense, USA
Very convenient service that helped us register our trademark in a few days. I want to mention the help of the CX team and especially Alex. They helped me and were always in touch. We will use it for registration in other countries.
Alex
Epic Web3, Portugal
Great experience! Applied for a trade mark registration in US and EU for a reasonable price
Alexandr
TMARK, Moldova
We ordered work in more than 10 countries for trademarks and patents, it is very convenient that everything is visible in one dashboard and fast secure payments. Lawyers often offer advice and best solutions for free, which helps a lot when you are not sure what needs to be done and how to do it cheaper. Excellent service I recommend as a patent attorney with 15 years of experience!
Ruben
DIGITORIUM, Spain
iPNOTE is a fantastic platform that allows you to easily extend your IP agent network around the world to better serve your customers. In addition, any need is quickly solved by their support service. I highly recommend it
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "design granting" mean in Germany?
Design granting in Germany refers to the process by which the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) registers a submitted industrial design, giving the applicant exclusive rights over its appearance. This means the design is officially recorded and legally protected.
Is there a substantive examination during the design granting process in Germany?
No, the DPMA does not conduct a substantive examination of novelty or individual character. It only checks for formal compliance with filing requirements. Therefore, the responsibility for ensuring that a design is new and distinctive lies with the applicant.
How long does it take for a design to be granted in Germany?
If the application meets all formal requirements, the design can be registered and published within a few weeks. The process is relatively fast compared to other intellectual property rights like patents.
What rights does a granted design provide in Germany?
A granted design gives the holder the exclusive right to use the design and to prevent others from using identical or similar designs in the course of trade without consent. This includes making, offering, selling, importing, or exporting products featuring the protected design.
How long is a granted design valid in Germany?
The initial term of protection is five years from the filing date. The design can be renewed every five years for a maximum of 25 years.
When does protection of a granted design start in Germany?
Legal protection begins from the filing date of the application, not from the date of granting. However, enforcement is only possible once the design has been registered and published.
Can a granted design in Germany be challenged?
Yes, any third party can file a request for invalidation if they believe the design lacks novelty or individual character, or if it violates public policy or earlier rights.
Get all necessary information about working on the iPNOTE platform
Industrial Design Granting in Germany: Key Aspects and Procedures
Securing rights for a creative industrial concept requires navigating the structured process of grant design registration. This procedure ensures that the appearance of a product is legally protected, giving businesses and creators a competitive advantage. The system allows both individual applicants and companies to apply for such protection, offering them exclusive rights for up to 25 years.
Unlike patents, industrial models protect only the visual features of an item — its shape, color, contours, and surface structure. Understanding how to grant these rights is essential for any business focused on innovation and product aesthetics.
Understanding the Grant Design Process in the German Legal System
In the intellectual property framework, the registration of industrial appearances is handled by the Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA). The procedure is formal and primarily administrative — there is no substantive examination of novelty or uniqueness at the time of application.
Applicants seeking to obtain protection for their creation must ensure that it meets the following core criteria:
- It must be new, meaning no identical configuration has been made available to the public before the filing date.
- It must have individual character, setting it apart from other publicly known forms.
- The visible features of the product must be clearly represented in visual form.
Once the application passes the formal check, the visual concept is entered into the official register, and legal protection is conferred.. The entire process, if documents are in order, is often completed within a few weeks.
Step-by-Step Overview of How to Grant Design Protection
The process of registering a product’s appearance in Germany involves a clear sequence of steps. Below is a checklist to guide applicants through the stages of obtaining rights:
- Prepare quality visual representations of the item (photos or drawings)
- Choose the correct Locarno classification code
- Submit the application to the DPMA via online portal or paper form
- Pay the official application processing fee
- Track the publication and registration notice in the DPMA register
- Renew the registration periodically (every 5 years, up to 25 years)
Applications can cover multiple variants of the same object (multiple application), which allows applicants to reduce the per-unit fee when filing several models simultaneously.
Key Benefits of Registering a Design in Germany
The German industrial protection system is considered one of the most efficient and transparent in Europe. Registering a product’s visual form offers applicants the following advantages:
- Legal protection against imitation and unauthorized use
- Enhanced commercial value and licensing opportunities
- Strong enforcement tools in the event of infringement
- Integration with the broader EU design system (RCD) via priority claims
In addition, once granted, the rights apply retroactively from the filing date, providing a solid legal basis for defense even before the certificate is issued.
Design Granting vs. Other Forms of IP
While trademarks and patents focus on source identification and technical function respectively, industrial appearance protection is centered around the aesthetic expression of products. The acquisition of these rights does not require proving functionality or innovation—only that the visual impression is original.
Many industries in Germany rely heavily on this type of registration, especially those in fashion, furniture, automotive, and consumer electronics sectors. With the rise of e-commerce and mass manufacturing, the risk of copying product visuals has grown, making registration more important than ever.
Conclusion: Why Granting Design Rights Matters
Applying for and securing an official grant design right in Germany provides product creators with exclusive use of their visual concepts. This legal safeguard not only enhances a company's market position but also encourages long-term investment in product development and visual identity.
The procedural clarity, fast registration, and cost-effectiveness of the German system make it a valuable tool for innovators aiming to protect what sets their products apart in a crowded marketplace.
