Duration of design right
The duration of design right is fifteen years from the
end of the calendar year in which the design was first recorded in a
design document or an article was first made to the design, whichever
occurred first.
However, the duration can cannot be longer than ten
years from the end of the calendar year in which articles made to the
design are first made available for sale or hire anywhere in the world by
or with the authority of the design right owner.
Furthermore, during the last five years of the design
right term, licences are available as of right. In other words, if the
design right owner and a prospective licensee cannot agree the terms of
the licence, the prospective licensee can apply to the Patent Office to
have the terms of the licence settled.
