EUIPO Design Process

Formal examination only, no substantive novelty check

EUIPO Examination Process

EUIPO only conducts the formalities and registrability examination, not for novelty or conflicts with prior rights. A comprehensive reform of the EU design system took effect on May 1, 2025, introducing new fee schedules.

  • Submission methods:
    • Electronic filing, postal mail, or personal delivery.
  • Official Fees:
    • Filing fee and publication fees are now combined and must be paid at filing.
  • Languages:
    • Applications may be filed in any official EU language, but a second language must also be designated (English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish). The second language must differ from the filing language. This language scheme applies to all proceedings, including post-grant invalidation.
  • Representation:
    • If the applicant has no domicile, principal place of business, or real and effective establishment in the EEA, a professional representative must be appointed for all proceedings except filing. If no representative is appointed, the EUIPO will issue an invitation; failure to comply within 2 months results in refusal.
  • Official Filing Receipt:
    • For Community design applications submitted electronically, the system will immediately issue an electronic filing receipt, which includes the filing date and application number.

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Posted on
Oct 13, 2025