Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an industrial design?
2. Must I register my industrial design in order to be protected?
3. How long does registration last?
4. What cannot be protected by an industrial design?
5. If I register my design in Canada, am I protected in other countries?
6. Is there a time limit for filing an application for registration?
7. What do I need in order to apply for industrial design registration?
8. What type of description do I need to include?
9. What type of drawings or photographs are necessary?
10. If I have a registered design, do I have to put any marking on the articles to indicate this?
11. If I see a good design outside Canada and it does not appear to be on the market in Canada, can I register that design under my name here?
12. How will the Industrial Design Office know if I did not originate the design?
13. Can anyone do a search through the Industrial Design Office records to see what has been registered previously?
14. May non-Canadians register their designs in Canada?
15. If I sell or purchase rights to a design, do I need to inform the Industrial Design Office?
16. Would the Industrial Design Office stop someone else from infringing my design?
17. Can I get help in filing an application for industrial design protection?

Q1. What is an industrial design?

A An industrial design is the features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornament (or any combination thereof) applied to a finished article. It may be, for example, the shape of a table or the ornamentation on the handle of a spoon. The article can be made by hand, tool or machine.

Q2. Must I register my industrial design in order to be protected?

A Yes, there is no protection without registration. Once registered, industrial designs are available for public inspection. Keep in mind that it is best to apply for registration before marketing your product.

Q3. How long does registration last?

A Obtaining registration for an industrial design will give you exclusive rights for a period of ten years from the date of registration, provided that you pay a maintenance fee before expiry of the first five years plus six months of the registration.

Q4. What cannot be protected by an industrial design?

A The following cannot be protected:

• the functional features of an article;
• a principle of construction, or how an article is built;
• the materials used in the construction of an article;
• colour per se; or
• ideas.

Q5. If I register my design in Canada, am I protected in other countries?

A No. You can obtain protection in other countries only by filing in each country separately.

Q6. Is there a time limit for filing an application for registration?

A No, unless there has been "publication" (i.e. the design has been made public or offered for commercial sale or use anywhere in the world). In that case, you must file an application within twelve months of the publication date.

Q7. What do I need in order to apply for industrial design registration?

A A You should send a completed application form, at least one drawing or photograph and the fees. The form entitled "Application for Registration of an Industrial Design [PDF]," is included in Appendix B of the Industrial Designs Guide. Electronic filing is also possible via our website.

Q8. What type of description do I need to include?

A The description does not have to detail every aspect of the design, but it must state clearly what the design is. You should describe the visual aspects of the design only, i.e., shape, configuration, pattern or ornament (or any combination thereof). Do not refer to how the article functions or performs. For a more detailed explanation of descriptions, consult the "Industrial Design Office Practices".

Q9. What type of drawings or photographs are necessary?

A Whether you submit drawings or photographs, they must show the design features clearly and be easy to reproduce by photography, electrostatic processes, photo offset and microfilming. They should be of a sufficiently large scale to clearly show the design features and should include as many views as are necessary to disclose all design features.

Q10. If I have a registered design, do I have to put any marking on the articles to indicate this?

A Marking is not required. However, it is helpful in the event of a court proceeding. If there is no mark, the court cannot award a remedy other than an injunction, which will prevent further infringement on your design. The proper mark is a capital "D" in a circle and the name, or abbreviation thereof, of the design's proprietor on the article, its label or packaging.

Q11. If I see a good design outside Canada and it does not appear to be on the market in Canada, can I register that design under my name here?

A You could apply for the design in Canada only if you have acquired ownership of the design and it has not been published anywhere in the world for more than one year.

Q12. How will the Industrial Design Office know if I did not originate the design?

A A search is done through records of registered Canadian designs and published art to determine whether anyone else already owns the design, or one so similar that yours would be considered an imitation. If so, your application will not be acceptable for registration. If the search does not disclose a similar design, your declaration of originality will be accepted and the design registered, provided all other requirements are met. It should also be noted that the courts have the power to overturn an invalid declaration at a later date.

Q13. Can anyone do a search through the Industrial Design Office records to see what has been registered previously?

A Yes, anyone can conduct a search free of charge. All materials are located in the search room at the Client Service Centre, in Gatineau, Quebec. Staff will give you the basic information you need to do the search. You may also obtain copies of drawings and other documents at a nominal fee.

Q14. May non-Canadians register their designs in Canada?

A Yes, provided that Canadian requirements are met. Registrations in other countries offer no protection in Canada.

Q15. If I sell or purchase rights to a design, do I need to inform the Industrial Design Office?

A It is advisable to register the sale of rights, or "assignment," as it is known, with the Industrial Design Office. Many legal text writers have expressed the opinion that registration of an assignment would be necessary before the new owner could sue anyone for infringing the design.

Q16. Would the Industrial Design Office stop someone else from infringing my design?

A No. This responsibility rests with the owner of the design. You must start any legal action within three years of the alleged offence.

Q17. Can I get help in filing an application for industrial design protection?

A Yes. Information on procedures for filing an application can be obtained from the Client Service Centre. Also, there are registered patent agents you can consult who have experience in this area. Look for them in the yellow pages of the telephone book under "Patent Agents," or write to the Client Service Centre.