A comparison of the Australian designs system vs. key overseas jurisdictions

Our team of designs specialists has written extensively about filing strategies concerning registered designs in Australia over the years. See, for example: Australian Designs Law – Key features to keep in mind when registering your design, Broken Lines – Australian Design Registrations, and Ensuring valid protection of your design in Australia. When assisting both local and foreign clients in developing a strategy for design protection, we are often asked how the Australian designs system differs from the systems of various overseas jurisdictions. In this article, we will provide a brief summary of the main considerations and preferred practices for preparing design drawings in anticipation of a global filing program. We will focus on the following key jurisdictions: