Navigating Industrial Design Registration in Norway: A Comprehensive Guide

Industrial Design Registration in Norway - Key Requirements and Procedures

In Norway, industrial designs are protected under the administration of the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO), which grants rights for patents, trademarks, and designs. The registration system focuses on ensuring formal compliance rather than assessing novelty or infringement, allowing applicants to efficiently secure design protection for a broad range of products and visual creations.

Authority: 

• Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO), www.patentstyret.no

Terms of Protection:

• The initial protection period is 5 years, renewable 4 times, for a maximum protection of 25 years.

Filing Deadline: 

• Paris Convention applications must be filed within 6 months from the earliest priority date.

Required Documents:

• Representations / Pictures
• Brief description
• Certified copy of priority document
• Ownership Statement / Employment Statement / Priority Assignment

Process & Procedure:

NIPO does not examine whether the industrial design meets the requirement of novelty, nor does it examine whether the product infringes upon the rights of others. 

• The format for filing documents: .jpg.
• Once an industrial design application is submitted, it cannot be modified. The drawings may be photographs, line drawings, or data images, which can be in color, grayscale, or black and white. Grayscale or black-and-white images can protect all colors. For color images, each color or combination of colors is regarded as a separate design. The design can be shown from multiple views, but each image must contain only one view. The image must be clearly displayed against a neutral background, avoiding shadows and light reflections, and must not include any other elements such as persons, explanatory text, or measurements. A partial design may be applied for, with the unprotected parts indicated by broken lines, or the part may be shown separately.
• The brief description of the industrial design must clearly define the category to which the design belongs. Usually, it is a short term indicating the type of product of the industrial design, such as “chair,” “ship,” or “graphic symbol.” It must not describe the appearance or manufacturing method of the design. If the product has no term, a brief explanation of the product’s function is required. If the applicant is unsure which category their product belongs to, this field may be left blank, and NIPO will supplement the information for the applicant.
• NIPO accepts multiple industrial designs. The criterion NIPO uses to determine whether multiple designs can be included is whether the objects shown in all images are completely identical. If there are differences, they will be regarded as separate designs.

• NIPO conducts only a formal examination for industrial designs, such as whether the designer is clearly identified, whether the images are clear, and whether the subject is a product rather than a concept or idea. Industrial designs must not include national flags, emblems, or designs contrary to public order or morality.
• For notifications issued by NIPO, the applicant may submit a written request for an extension. An extension request without justification may be granted for two months and may be extended up to three times. Any extension request beyond three times must provide the reason for the extension, supported by sufficient documentation and evidence. For extension requests concerning formal deficiencies, NIPO will not approve them.
   

Restoration of Rights:

• If a deadline is missed, applicants may request continued processing within 2 months of the missed date.
• Official Fee: NOK 2,800
• The request must be filed within 6 months of the original deadline and within 2 months of the applicant becoming aware of the failure.
• Upon acceptance, NIPO issues an invoice confirming restoration.

Grace Period for Novelty:

• Designs disclosed by the applicant within 12 months prior to the filing or priority date remain eligible for protection under Norway’s 12-month grace period.

Grant and Renewal Maintenance Fee: 

Renewal is due every 5 years. NIPO sends a single reminder letter before the deadline. Payment can be made within 1 year before expiration. NIPO issues a renewal certificate approximately 10 days after payment. If payment is not made, a final warning notice is issued 2 months before the last payment date**.

Granting Time:

The average registration time for an industrial design in Norway is 10 to 12 months from the date of filing.

Conclusion

Norway’s industrial design system offers applicants a streamlined, transparent process emphasizing formal compliance and long-term protection flexibility. By adhering to NIPO’s clear submission and renewal rules, businesses can effectively safeguard their product aesthetics for up to 25 years, ensuring sustained competitive advantage within the Norwegian and European markets.

(Image sourced from the official website of the NIPO)