Step-by-step guide to applying for UK design registration online

  • Reduce risk of errors or delays with your application
  • Practical guidance
  • Easy to understand

This step-by-step guide to applying for UK design registration online helps you to complete the online application for a UK design registration. Registering your design in the UK will give you broader protections than relying on unregistered design rights.

By using this guide, you can minimise the risk of errors and/or delays with your application.

Using the online service to register a UK design is quicker and cheaper than applying by post. However, if you wish to register more than 50 designs at once or use more than 12 images to describe one design, you must use the paper application form. For guidance on applying by post, see Step-by-step guide to filling in the UK trade mark application form.

You can also buy this guide as part of the Protecting IP and confidential information toolkit.

Q&A

  • When should I use this document?

    You should use this step-by-step guide when applying for UK design registration online.

    Applying for UK design registration online is the quickest and cheapest method of registering.

    By registering a design in the UK, you get broader protections than if you rely on unregistered design rights.

  • What does this document cover?

    This step-by-step guide explains how to complete the required fields of the online form to apply for a UK registered design.

    The required fields include:

    • describing the design;
    • disclaimer;
    • illustrations/representations;
    • deferring your registration;
    • previous applications;
    • review;
    • owner details; and
    • payment.
  • Why do I need this document?

    Use this step-by-step guide if you want assistance with filling in an online application for a UK design registration.

    This step-by-step guide clearly and concisely explains what is required in each field of the application, which helps you to complete your application quickly and accurately.

    Using this guide to assist with your online application reduces the risk of delays.

  • Where can I find out more?

    To find out more about why and how to register a design in the UK (and/or EU) see Designs: Design rights.

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