EUIPO News

With the reform of European design law, the new concept of the “EU Design” has been introduced, replacing and modernizing the former Community Design. The EU Design is broader in technological scope and explicitly includes digital and virtual designs. This covers graphical user interfaces (GUIs), icons, animations, transition and motion effects, as well as other visual elements not necessarily bound to a physical product. This expansion takes into account the increasing importance of software-based and virtual product components. In addition, a new designation symbol has been created: the letter Ⓓ, which can be used on protected products or representations to indicate a registered EU Design. The aim of the reform is to adapt design law to current technological developments and increase the visibility of registered designs.