Industrial Design
An Industrial Design refers to the features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation that gives a special appearance to a product of industry or handicraft.
Documents & Forms
What is an Industrial Design?
It is the features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation that gives a special appearance to a product of industry or handicraft and serves as a pattern for that product. The Industrial Design does not need to have any artistic merit but must be new. “New” means not previously made available in Barbados.
Benefits of Registration
As the registered owner of an Industrial Design, you:
Have the exclusive right to use the design specified in your registration.
Have the exclusive right to authorize other people to use your design as specified in the registration.
Have a registered design which is personal property that can grow in value and can be sold.
Can take legal action to stop other people from using your design without your permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but a registered Industrial Design can be a valuable commercial asset. As the owner of a registered Industrial Design you can easily enforce your rights against a person who uses your Industrial Design without your permission.
No. Designs for products which are primarily literary or artistic in character cannot be registered. These include book jackets, calendars, certificates, forms, dressmaking patterns, greeting cards, leaflets, maps and plans, post cards, stamps, transfers, and medals. These may be protected under the Copyright Act.
You may also not register a design featuring: layout for an integrated circuit, the Olympic ring or motto or the Olympic torch or flame, representation of Queen Elizabeth II or any member of the Royal Family, the coat of arms, flag or seal of Barbados, or the armorial bearings, flags, state emblems or signs of any other country.
Registration initially protects your design for 5 years which can be renewed for 2 further consecutive periods of 5 years each, for a maximum of 15 years total protection.
An application is filed at the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office, Ground Floor, Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael. The cost of an application is $100 and a further $100 for registration. The Industrial Design will be entered in the Register and you will receive your certificate of registration by registered post.
No. Registration is effective only in Barbados. However, registration here can be used to establish a “priority” date for a separate application made in a foreign country.
Yes. A registered design can be a valuable business asset and you can sell or license it like any other property.
Ready to register your Industrial Design?
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