UKIPO Issues Guidance On Design Applications For Products Consisting Of Multiple Components

The UKIPO has published an updated Design Practice Note on design applications for products that consist of multiple components. The Practice Note clarifies what is acceptable in a single design application under UK design practice.

In line with section 1(2) of the Registered Design Act 1949, one of the requirements for acceptance is that a design should seek protection for the appearance of a 'single, unitary product'. With respect to applications seeking protection for a product consisting of multiple elements, such applications would be acceptable if all elements of the design together form a unitary product. Although a product doesn't have to consist of a single physical object, an application including multiple unrelated objects would not be accepted in a single design application.