Mastering French Design Patent Applications: From Document Preparation to Global Protection Tips

Guide for French Design Patent Application

In today's globalized world, transforming creativity into protectable patents has become increasingly important, especially in the field of design. France, as a cultural and design hub of Europe, offers a robust legal framework through its design patent application process, ensuring that creativity is protected in both the physical and digital realms.

Required Documents

• Représentations / Pictures
• Brief description /  Locarno Classification
• Inventor’s Declaration
• Priority document (if any, Scanned copy)
• Statement of Ownership / Employment Proof / Priority Assignment

Authority:

• Institut national de la propriété industrielle (INPI), www.inpi.fr

Due Date: 

• Within 6 months from earliest priority date.

Patent Validity Period: 

• Design: Initially 5 years, renewable 4 times, with a maximum protection of up to 25 years. A 10-year protection period can be requested at the time of filing a new application.

Points: 

• Dual Protection in France: France follows the doctrine of unity of art. A design with distinctive aesthetic character is protected both by design law and copyright, regardless of its function or artistic value. Copyright requires no formal filing — the creator only needs proof of being the first author. This proof can come from a Soleau envelope or the design filing itself. Filing a design is therefore strategic: you gain industrial and copyright protection, and a formal document that makes international extension easier. 

Process & Procedure: 

• INPI performs only formal examination.
• A design may cover multiple products, the whole product, or just a part of it.
• Protection is based on visual expression — lines, contours, colors, shape, texture, or materials — on the object itself or as decoration.
• Interconnection modular systems are also eligible (e.g. building kits, modular furniture).
• Metaverse Designs protection extends to virtual designs. Example: a shoe is Class 02-04 whether it is physical or metaverse-only.
  • Recommendations:
    • File before launching in metaverse
    • Do not disclose your design within 12 months before filing
    • Watch for unauthorized use inside virtual spaces
• Official Fee: €39 filing fee, payable at submission.
• Représentations / Pictures Requirements:
  • Accurate, faithful reproductions: drawing, photo, CAD, or 3D render, one visual format only (photo or drawing; not both)
  • Up to 100 related designs in one filing (same Locarno class), no limit on number of views per design
  • Views must be perfectly consistent — same single design
  • Only one representation type: color or black and white
  • Neutral background, no decoration or usage context
  • Each image must show only one view
  • To exclude features, use visual disclaimer, not description
  • No text, arrows, dimensions, or symbols
  • For multi-element products, include at least one full assembled view
  • Formats: .jpg / .jpeg / .png, max 5 MB each

Grace Period for Novelty:

• If the creator discloses the design themselves, they may still file within 12 months.

Grant and Renewal

• Designs are renewed every 5 years. Renewal must be paid within 6 months before expiry, with a 6-month late surcharge. 

Average Grant Time:

• 6–8 months. 

(Image sourced from the INPI official website)