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🎨　Design Registration Service

Protecting product, graphic, and digital designs for up to 25 years

Design is the face of a company. Registered design rights maximize brand value.
From physical products to digital UI — comprehensive design protection.

What Is a Design Right — A 25-Year Exclusive Right

A design right grants exclusive use of the appearance (shape, pattern, color) of articles, buildings, and digital images. The right lasts up to 25 years from the filing date, allowing you to exclude imitations. The 2020 amendment expanded protection to buildings, interiors, and screen designs, dramatically broadening coverage.

What a Design Right Can Protect

🪑 Industrial product shapes (furniture, appliances, automobiles, stationery)
🏛 Architectural exteriors and interiors
📱 Application icons and GUIs (image designs)
🎨 Patterns, textures, and surface designs
📦 Packaging designs

Why Choose EVORIX

🎨 1. Strategic Use of Multiple Design Categories

We combine partial designs, related designs, sets of articles, and secret designs to protect the design as a 'sphere' rather than a single 'point.' We capture the essential features of the design and craft strong, hard-to-design-around scope.

🖼 2. Drawing Preparation & Filing

In design applications, drawings define the scope. From 3D CAD or photographs we prepare six-view orthographic and perspective drawings that meet JPO formality requirements while accurately conveying the design's distinctive features.

📲 3. Image Designs & GUI Designs

We have extensive experience filing 'image designs' (GUIs, icons, animations) introduced by the 2020 amendment — ideal for SaaS, mobile apps, and web services seeking UI protection.

🌐 4. Hague Agreement International Filings

For protection abroad, the Hague Agreement enables a single international design filing covering multiple member countries, reducing cost and procedural overhead. → Learn about Hague Agreement filings

🛡 5. Refusal & Invalidation Handling

We handle responses to refusals (e.g., novelty, similarity, design creativity issues) and invalidation actions through to favorable resolution.

Service Process

1

Free consultation & intake

We discuss the design, target articles, and protection scope.

2

Similar design search

We assess novelty and creativity against prior designs.

3

Drawing preparation & strategy

We design the protection scope (partial / related / set design strategy).

4

Filing with the JPO

Filed via the electronic filing system on the same day.

5

Office action response (if any)

We respond to refusals based on novelty or design creativity.

6

Registration & renewal management

We manage annuity payments and maintenance for up to 25 years.

Related Services

Combining design with patents and trademarks creates the strongest "IP mix" protection.

Free Initial Consultation

"Should we file a design or a patent for this product?" "Can our app's GUI be registered as a design?" "We need protection in multiple countries — what's the best path?" — Bring us your questions.

The first consultation is free. We propose the optimal design protection strategy for your product portfolio. Reach us by phone (+81-6-7777-1884) or via the inquiry form.

Make every design a competitive asset — protected by registered rights.

Recent Insights from Our Blog

In-depth articles on Japan trademark and patent practice for foreign counsel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q : How much does it cost to register a design?
The application fees consist of a Japan Patent Office stamp duty of 16,000 yen plus attorney fees (100,000–150,000 yen). The registration fees include the registration fee (8,500 yen per year for the first three years) and 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 : How long does a design registration take?
For standard design applications, registration typically takes 6–10 months. If you utilize the accelerated examination system, registration is possible in 2–4 months. We are also available 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 identical or similar designs have 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, operation screens, website UIs, app interfaces, and similar elements can be protected. Dynamic screens can be protected by representing animations using multiple still images. Our firm has extensive experience in filing GUI design applications.
Q: What about filing design applications overseas?
Yes, through the Hague International Design Application, you can file for design protection in over 80 countries worldwide with a single application. A single application can cover up to 100 designs, making it ideal for protecting a series of products. We also assist with applications for the INPIT Foreign Application Subsidy (up to 50% funding).
Q : What happens if a design application is rejected?
We will prepare a statement of opinion and amendments in response to the notice of grounds for refusal, aiming for registration. For grounds of refusal such as lack of novelty or non-obviousness, we will respond by arguing the differentiation from prior designs. Our firm has a proven track record of securing rights through logical rebuttals.
Q : How long is the term of a design right?
The term of a design right is 25 years from the filing date (extended from 20 to 25 years under 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 associated 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 design variations and model changes. Applications must be filed within 10 years of the main design application date.
Q : What is the exception to loss of novelty?
Even if a design has been disclosed through exhibitions, social media, or sales, you can still file an application by applying the “exception to loss of novelty” within one year of the disclosure. Since proof of disclosure is required, we recommend filing the application before disclosure whenever possible.
Q : Is a free consultation available?
Yes, the initial consultation is free. Please feel free to contact us by phone (06-7777-1884), email, or through our contact form. If you send us drawings or photos of your design, we will provide a free assessment of registrability, filing strategy, and a cost estimate.
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