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Utility model vs. industrial design – what are the differences and how can you protect them?

Utility models and industrial designs are fundamental tools for protecting solutions used in products. They are often confused with each other because both relate to the same object and both are registered with the relevant office. In practice, however, they protect completely different elements of the product, operate within different scopes, and address different business needs. The differences between utility models and industrial designs are outlined below in a systematic way, so that it is easy to assess which form of protection makes sense in a given case, and when it is worth considering combined protection.

Utility model vs. industrial design. What do you want to protect – this is the starting point for further decisions

The most important difference lies in the subject of protection.

A utility model protects a technical solution, whilean industrial design protects the appearance of a product.

Utility model – protection of function and design

A utility model is a new and useful technical solution concerning the shape, structure, or combination of an object with a durable form and suitable for industrial application. In practice, a utility model very often includes:

  • improvements to existing solutions
  • structural changes
  • simplification of mechanisms
  • everyday consumer products

Industrial design – protection of the product’s appearance

An industrial design refers to the external appearance of a product and is closely related to industrial design.

The following may be protected:

  • shape
  • lines and contours
  • color scheme
  • surface texture
  • ornamentation

The protected element is the overall visual form, not the way the product works.

Utility model vs. industrial design – duration of protection

Utility model:

  • maximum 10 years
  • protection divided into periods
  • requires active maintenance in force

Industrial design:

  • maximum 25 years
  • renewable every 5 years
  • provides long-term protection of the product’s appearance

These differences mean that utility models are more often used for technical solutions with a shorter life cycle, while industrial designs are used for projects aimed at
long-term market presence.

What does utility model protection look like?

The protection of a utility model is based on technical documentation. The application includes:

  • description of the solution
  • protection claims
  • technical drawings

In the next stage, an expert conducts a detailed prior art search to verify whether the applied utility model is new.

What does industrial design protection look like?

An industrial design is primarily based on a good graphic representation. The scope of protection is determined by:

  • illustrations
  • photographs

The expert also does not verify whether the design being submitted is new and whether it has an individual character.

Summary

Utility models and industrial designs are not competing solutions, but complementary ones. Each of them protects a different aspect of the product and addresses different business risks.

A utility model protects the way something works, while an industrial design protects what the customer sees. Only a conscious choice of one form or their combination allows for the creation of real and effective protection.

A well-planned strategy for protecting designs determines whether the advantage will remain with the creator or become easy for competitors to copy.

How to register a utility model and protect yourself from the competition
We will help you register a utility model or an industrial design.

Table of contents:

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How to patent a utility model and protect yourself from competition?

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How to protect an industrial design before a competitor copies it

How to protect an industrial design before a competitor copies it

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