Community Design Guide: Best Practices for Ensuring Image Quality and Background Selection

Pictures / Representation for Community Design 

The pictures / representation of a Community Design must be in the form of black-and-white or color images or photographs.

Regardless of the submission method used (electronic, paper, or fax, the design must be reproduced on a neutral background, without modifications using ink or correction fluid.

The quality of images or photographs must be sufficient to clearly distinguish all details of the object being protected and must be reducible or enlargable to no more than 8cm x 16cm each, for publication in the bulletin.

Drawings, photographs (except slides), computer-generated presentations, or any other graphic presentations are acceptable as long as they are suitable for reproduction, including on the paper form of the registration certificate. Motion simulations generated by 3D computer animations are considered supplementary technical means for viewing the design and cannot replace traditional static views. EUIPO does not accept CDs and other data carriers.

Back ground: 

• The background must be neutral, and it should clearly distinguish the design displayed in the view from the surrounding environment, free from interference by any other objects, appendages, or decorations. As long as a single or dominant color in the background stands out in the design's color scheme, it is acceptable. As illustrated below:

• Unacceptable background images, as illustrated below:

• Examples of acceptable gradients and backgrounds with more than one color:
   

• Regarding contrast, all features of the design should be clearly visible. If the background color is similar to the design's color, causing parts to blend and making it unclear where the product ends and the background begins, it's considered insufficient contrast. Sometimes, a dark background may help when the design is clear or light, and vice versa.
• Examples of sufficient contrast with the background:

• Examples of insufficient contrast with the background:

  
• As long as all features of the design remain clearly visible, shadows or reflections are acceptable:  
• Examples of acceptable shadows or reflections:

• Examples of unacceptable shadows or reflections:
   

For defects stemming from a non-neutral background, the examiner will issue a notification for correction. The applicant needs to respond within 2 months from the issuance date of notification. The applicant can withdraw the concerned views, so they won't be part of the community design, or resubmit with views on a neutral background, or modify the views to separate the design from its background. The latter can utilize a visual disclaimer.

If the applicant withdraws the defective views within the deadline, the original application date will be recorded as the filing date for the non-defective views. If new or modified views are submitted within the deadline, the date of receipt will be the recorded filing date.
 

(All images are sourced from the EUIPO website.)