Designs

Industrial Design versus Patents

• It should be noted that functional aspects are not protected through Industrial Designs.
• Functional aspects are protected as patents, while ornamental, aesthetic, and/or ergonomic aspects are protected as Industrial Designs.
• Industrial Design is where form meets function, but legally, the protection applies only to the form, not the function, of the product.

For more details on patents, please see the Patents Filing & Prosecution section.

Types of Products

• Industrial designs are applicable to any products from any industry, including handicrafts.
• This ranges from beverage containers to automobiles, household goods, jewelry, articles of clothing, and so on.
• Some countries allow the protection of graphic symbols and graphical user interfaces as industrial designs, provided they meet novelty and aesthetic criteria.

Rights Offered

A registered industrial design provides the owner the right to prevent third parties from:

• Making
• selling or
• importing articles

Bearing or embodying a design which is a copy, or substantially a copy, of the protected design, when such acts are undertaken for commercial purposes. The term of protection for designs is 15 years from the date of filing.

Requirements of an Industrial Design Application

• A typical Design application would include images of appropriate views of the product that clearly provide a view of the relevant features of the product that differentiate it from other similar products.
• As many views as possible can be filed.
• Some countries restrict the number of images, e.g. Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property allows only 7 images for each Design application.

Images in Industrial Design Applications

When filing an industrial design application, visual representations of the product are critical. These images or drawings define the scope of legal protection, as design rights typically protect the visual appearance of a product rather than its function or construction.

Images are the heart of a design application. The strength and clarity of your visual submission determine how well your design is protected and enforced globally. It’s essential to tailor your image submission to the rules of each jurisdiction where protection is sought.

Purpose of Images in Design Applications

• Defining the Design:
  The images submitted establish what the design is and which features are being claimed. These could include shape, configuration, pattern, or ornamentation.
• Highlighting Unique Features:
  The images should clearly present the features that distinguish the product from existing designs. This is essential for proving novelty and originality, which are key criteria for registration.
• Supporting Legal Clarity:
  Since design rights are interpreted based on visual disclosure, any ambiguity or missing views can weaken the protection or lead to rejection.

Types of Views Commonly Used

• Perspective View
• Front View
• Back View
• Top View
• Bottom View
• Left Side View
• Right Side View
• Optional:
  • Colour Renderings (if colour is claimed as part of the design)

Best Practices for Submitting Design Images

• Use consistent lighting and scale if using photographs.
• Ensure clarity—blurred or distorted images can lead to rejection.
• Highlight only the claimed design—non-claimed parts should be shown in broken or lighter lines.
• Avoid reflections or backgrounds—the design must be easily distinguishable.
• Label each view clearly (e.g., “Front,” “Top”) to avoid misinterpretation.

How KIP Supports You

At KIP, our team assists clients with every stage of the industrial design registration process, from preparing drawings and meeting formal requirements to ensuring compliance with SAIP’s filing standards. With our experience in Saudi and international design laws, we help you secure and enforce the visual identity of your creations effectively.