What is a registered design?
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Registered Community designs are property rights. As well as, or instead of, exploiting a design himself, the proprietor of a registered Community design can license the registered Community design to generate revenue. A registered Community design can also be sold or used as security.
Where a registered Community design covers more that one design, the designs can be licensed separately. It is also possible to grant a licence in respect of a specific range of products.
As a registered Community design is a unitary right, it can only be assigned in respect of the whole of the European Union. In contrast, licences may be granted on a country by country basis, subject to competition law and provisions governing the free movement of goods.
In order to avoid loss of rights, an assignment should be recorded with the European Union Intellectual Property Office in a timely manner. It is also advisable to record licences.