International Design Registration

Q: What is the difference between design registration and a patent?

Design registration protects the appearance of a product — its shape, colour, texture and ornamentation. A patent protects the technical function . A single product can carry both.

Want to protect the original designs of your products abroad? Then you need our international design registration service. Under the Hague System we can seek protection for your designs in more than 78 countries.

Online Application
24/7 Service
Free Search
Free Consultancy

What Is International Design Registration?

International design registration protects the appearance of a product in countries outside Türkiye. Design protection is territorial: a Turkish registration is valid only within Türkiye. For protection in several countries you either file separately in each, or use the Hague System administered by WIPO to designate many countries in one application.

Hague System Versus Direct National Filing

Criterion	Hague System	Direct national
Applications	One filing, many countries	Separate filing per country
Language	Single language	Each country’s official language
Administration	Renewals and changes from one place	Tracked country by country
Coverage	Member states only	Any country

Before You File

Two conditions must be met: novelty and individual character. Public disclosure of the design can defeat both.

Plan the filing before showing the product at a fair, in a catalogue or online
Prepare views that show every surface you want protected
Decide your target markets in advance; country choice drives cost directly
Do not miss the priority window — the first filing date governs the whole process

Frequently Asked Questions

In Türkiye a registered design is protected for five years from the filing date and can be renewed in five-year terms up to a total of twenty-five years. Terms vary in other countries.

Design registration protects the appearance of a product — its shape, colour, texture and ornamentation. A patent protects the technical function. A single product can carry both.

European Union states, the United States, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Türkiye are among the many members. Membership changes over time, so check your target countries before filing.

Some jurisdictions grant limited unregistered protection for disclosed designs. It is short, covers copying only, and the burden of proof lies with the designer. Registration is a far stronger position.

Yes, multiple applications are possible and usually reduce the per-design cost. Variations within a product family can be filed together.

International Design Registration