How long is the term of a design patent?

A standard design application typically takes 6 to 10 months to be registered. If you take advantage of the expedited examination system, registration can be completed in 2 to 4 months. We are also available to discuss adjusting the timing to coincide with the release of new products.

Can partial designs and GUIs (graphical user interfaces) also be registered?

Yes, partial designs and GUI designs (screen designs) are also eligible for registration. Icons, user interfaces, website UIs, app interfaces, and the like can be protected. Dynamic screens can be protected by representing animations using multiple still images. Our firm has extensive experience filing GUI design applications.

What should I do if my design application is rejected?

We will prepare a statement of objections and amendments in response to the notice of grounds for refusal, with the goal of securing registration. For grounds for refusal such as lack of novelty or non-obviousness, we will respond by arguing that the design is distinct from prior designs. Our firm has a proven track record of securing rights through logical rebuttals.

How long is the term of a design patent?

The term of a design patent is 25 years from the filing date (extended from 20 to 25 years under the 2020 amendment). You can maintain your rights by paying the annual maintenance fees. Our firm also offers maintenance fee payment services.

Design Registration Services | Protecting the Value of Your Designs

Q: How much does it cost to register a design?

Fees at the time of filing include 16,000 yen for Japan Patent Office revenue stamps plus patent attorney fees (100,000–150,000 yen); fees at the time of registration include the registration fee (8,500 yen per year for the first through third years) and patent attorney fees. For a straightforward case, the total cost is typically between 150,000 and 250,000 yen. We’ll be happy to provide a free estimate for more details.

Q: Is a design search (preliminary search) necessary?

We recommend conducting a design search before filing an application. Since a design cannot be registered if an identical or similar design has already been registered, a preliminary search will help you avoid filing a needless application. The cost is approximately 30,000 to 50,000 yen.

Q: What about filing design patent applications overseas?

Yes, with a Hague International Design Application, you can file design applications in over 80 countries worldwide with a single application. A single application can cover up to 100 designs, making it ideal for protecting a product series as a whole. We also offer assistance with applying for the INPIT Foreign Application Grant (covering up to half of the costs).

Q: How can the related design system be utilized?

By utilizing the related design system, you can register designs similar to the original design as related designs, thereby providing comprehensive protection for derivative variations and model changes of the design. Applications may be filed within 10 years of the filing date of the original design application.

Q: What are the exceptions to the loss of novelty?

Even if a design has already been disclosed through exhibitions, social media, sales, or other means, it is still possible to file an application by invoking the “exception to loss of novelty” provision, provided that the disclosure occurred within one year of the filing date. Since you will need to prepare supporting documentation, we recommend filing the application before any disclosure occurs, whenever possible.

Design is the face of a company. We maximize brand value through design rights. We protect every aspect of design, from
products to graphic designs.

What Is a Design Patent? — The Right to Protect Your Design for 25 Years

A design right is the exclusive right to use the design (shape, pattern, and color) of articles, buildings, images, and other works. For up to 25 years from the filing date, it prevents third parties from imitating your design. Following a 2020 amendment to the law, buildings, interiors, and image designs were added to the scope of protection, significantly expanding the range of coverage.

What Can Be Protected by a Design Right

🪑 Shapes of industrial products (furniture, home appliances, automobiles, stationery, etc.)

🏛 Exterior and interior designs of buildings

📱 App and software icons and GUIs (graphic designs)

🎨 Patterns, textures, and designs

📦 Packaging design

Features of EVORIX’s Design Registration Service

🎨 1. Strategic Utilization of Diverse Design Protection Systems

We propose strategies that protect designs holistically—not just in isolated “points”—by combining various systems such as partial designs, related designs, composite designs, and confidential designs. We capture the essential characteristics of your design to establish a strong scope of rights that is difficult to imitate.

🖼 2. Drawing Preparation and Filing Services

In design applications, “drawings” are the most critical element in determining the scope of protection. Even when working from 3D CAD data or photographs, we prepare six-view and oblique views that comply with Japan Patent Office requirements, creating drawings that accurately represent the design’s features.

📲 3. Support for Image Designs and GUI Designs

We have extensive experience filing applications for “graphic designs” (such as GUIs, icons, and animations), which became eligible for protection under the 2020 legal amendments. Our services are ideal for companies seeking to protect the UI designs of their SaaS, mobile apps, and web services.

🌐 4. International Applications Under the Hague Agreement

If you wish to protect your designs overseas, an international design application under the Hague Agreement is a convenient option. A single application can cover multiple countries at once, significantly reducing costs and streamlining the process. → Details on Hague International Design Applications

🛡 5. Handling Oppositions and Invalidity Proceedings

We provide comprehensive support for post-registration disputes, ranging from responding to cease-and-desist letters based on other companies’ design rights to safeguarding your own design rights and filing requests for invalidation proceedings.

Differences from Patents and How to Utilize Them

Topic	Patent	Design
Subject of Protection	Technical Ideas	Design (Appearance)
Term of Protection	20 years from the filing date	25 years from the filing date
Grant Period	1–3 years	6–12 months
Estimated Costs	Relatively high	Relatively low

💡 An “IP mix strategy” that combines patents and design registrations is the optimal solution for product protection.

Design Registration Process

Free Consultation

Please bring your design images or 3D data to your consultation.

Design Similarity Search

We’ll assess the likelihood of registration and check for conflicts with other companies’ designs.

Drawing Preparation and Strategy Development

We determine the strategy for utilizing partial designs, related designs, and other options.

Filing with the Patent Office

We submit the application via the electronic filing system.

Examination and Registration (6–12 months)

Rights can be obtained in a shorter period of time compared to patents.

Registration and Annuity Management

We provide support for annuity management for up to 25 years.

Related Services

We propose strategies that comprehensively protect your brand and technology by combining them with design registrations.

Patent Application Services — Protecting Your Technical Ideas
Trademark Registration Services — Protecting Brand Names and Logos
Hague International Design Application — Protecting Designs Overseas
The World of Designs — Basic Knowledge of the Design System

Please feel free to contact us for a free consultation

“I want to know if I can protect this design,” “I don’t know how to file an application for a graphic design,” “Another company has copied my design”—we welcome any questions, no matter how small.

The initial consultation is free. Our patent attorneys, who specialize in design, will propose the optimal strategy to protect your company’s brand. Please contact us by phone (+81-6-7777-1884) or via our contact form.

We’re here to help you take the first step in protecting your company’s creative work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q : How much does it cost to register a design?

Fees at the time of filing include 16,000 yen for Japan Patent Office stamps plus patent attorney fees (100,000–150,000 yen). Fees at the time of registration include the registration fee (8,500 yen per year for the first through third years) and patent attorney fees. For a straightforward case, the total cost is typically between 150,000 and 250,000 yen. We’ll provide a free estimate for more details.

Q : How long does it take to register a design?

A standard design application typically takes 6–10 months to be registered. If you utilize the expedited examination system, registration is possible in 2–4 months. We are also happy to discuss timing adjustments to coincide with new product releases.

Q : Is a design search (pre-filing search) necessary?

We recommend conducting a design search before filing. Since registration is not possible if an identical or similar design has already been registered, a preliminary search helps avoid unnecessary applications. The cost is approximately 30,000 to 50,000 yen.

Q : Can partial designs and GUIs (graphical user interface designs) be registered?

Yes, partial designs and GUI designs (screen designs) are also eligible for registration. Icons, user interfaces, website UIs, and app interfaces can all be protected. Dynamic screens can be protected by representing animations using multiple still images. Our firm has extensive experience filing GUI design applications.

Q: What about filing design applications overseas?

Yes, through the Hague International Design Application, you can file a design application in over 80 countries worldwide with a single application. A single application can cover up to 100 designs, making it ideal for the bundled protection of product series. We also handle applications for the INPIT Foreign Application Subsidy (covering up to half the costs).

Q : What steps are taken if a design application is rejected?

We will prepare a statement of opinion and amendments in response to the notice of grounds for rejection, with the goal of securing registration. For grounds of rejection such as lack of novelty or non-obviousness, we will respond by arguing the design’s distinctiveness from prior designs. Our firm has a proven track record of securing design rights through logical rebuttals.

Q : How long does a design right last?

The term of a design right is 25 years from the filing date (extended from 20 to 25 years by the 2020 amendment). The right can be maintained by paying annual renewal fees. Our firm also offers renewal fee management services.

Q : How can the related design system be utilized?

By utilizing the related design system, you can register designs similar to the main design as related designs, thereby providing integrated protection for derivative variations and model changes of the design. Applications for related designs can be filed within 10 years of the filing date of the main design application.

Q : What are the exceptions to the loss of novelty rule?

Even if a design has been disclosed through exhibitions, social media, sales, or other means, you can still file an application by invoking the “exception to loss of novelty” provided it is done within one year of the disclosure. Since supporting documentation is required, we recommend filing the application before disclosure whenever possible.

Q : Do you offer free consultations?

Yes, the initial consultation is free. Please feel free to contact us by phone (+81-6-7777-1884), email, or through our contact form. If you send us drawings or photos of your design, we will provide a free assessment of its registrability, a filing strategy, and a cost estimate.