02.052025

Ⓓid you already mark your registered designs?

Starting 1 May 2025, the first phase* of the EU Design Package Reform comes into effect, introducing significant changes to the European design right system.

The reforms aims to:

  • modernize, clarify, and expand design protection, particularly in response to technological advancements and the digital economy including 3D printing age
  • Harmonize the different procedures
  • Facilitate the registration process and reduce the cost

Summary of Modifications to European Design Right Effective 1 May 2025

1. Terminology Updates

  • We will from now on talk about “Registered EU Design” (REUD) , “Unregistered EU Design” (UEUD)and “EU Designs Court”
  • A new design protection symbol Ⓓ will be introduced, similar to ® and ©, to indicate design protection.

2. Broadened Scope of Protection

  • The definition of “design” is expanded to explicitly include movement, animation, and interior/exterior environments (e.g., shop layouts), codifying current EUIPO practice
  • The definition of “product” now covers both physical and virtual products, including graphical user interfaces, virtual objects, and spatial configurations in virtual environments

3. Procedural Innovations

  • The “unity of class” requirement for multiple design applications is abolished. Applicants can include up to 50 designs in a single application, regardless of their classification, offering greater flexibility and cost savings.
  • Deferred publication rules change for new application: the publication fee is abolished, and design holders must now explicitly surrender the design before the end of the deferral period to prevent publication and the deferment fee has to be paid at the rights moment in time, otherwise the design will be published immediately. For pending application, the “old system” remains in place.

4. Fee Structure and Renewals

  • Renewal fees for designs will increase significantly.
  • The new system applies to all designs with a renewal period starting on or after 1 May 2025.
  • The renewal date is calculated starting at the filing date of the design.

5. Repair Clause

  • Component parts of complex products will not be protected if used solely for the purpose of repair to restore the original appearance of the product, provided their appearance is dependent on that of the complex product (the transitional clause becomes permanent).

The changes collectively modernize the EU design right system, making it more accessible, efficient, and better suited to the realities of digital and global markets.

Don’t hesitate to contact our experienced Design Attorneys Marie-Christine SIMON and Eugénie DESMET, to obtain more information on the protection of your designs under the new legislative framework and to benefit from these amendments.

*Further changes are foreseen to enter into force on 1st July 2026. The deadline for transposition of the new Directive into national law expires on 9th December 2027.