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A Guide to Industrial Designs (page 1 of 7)
The Basics
Purpose of this guide
This guide explores what industrial designs are, what makes them "registerable," the advantages of registration, and how to go about it.
Although not a complete text on Canadian law regarding industrial design, this guide provides a general overview of the industrial design registration process.
For more detailed information on industrial design procedures, consult the Industrial Design Act and Industrial Design Regulations, available online (www.cipo.ic.gc.ca/id). The CIPO Client Service Centre can also provide further information.
The glossary provides definitions of terms used in this guide.
Who we are
The Industrial Design Office is responsible for registering industrial designs in Canada, and is part of CIPO, an agency of Industry Canada. In addition to industrial designs, CIPO is responsible for most other intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, trade-marks, copyright and integrated circuit topographies.
The main functions of the Industrial Design Office are to:
- receive and examine applications for industrial design registration and register them;
- receive and record assignments of industrial designs;
- maintain the register of industrial designs; and
- provide general information to the public about industrial design registrations.
Visit the "Industrial Designs" section of the website for the following:
- instructions on getting started;
- access to the Canadian Industrial Designs Database to search, retrieve, and study industrial designs registered in Canada;
- publications, including office practices;
- legislation, including the Industrial Design Act and Industrial Design Regulations;
- online and printable forms, including the application for registration; and
- Canadian and international Internet links.
Contact Us
CIPO's Client Service Centre (CSC) is the central point of contact for clients wishing to communicate with CIPO. The CSC supplies information on a variety of subjects such as procedures for filing patent, trade-mark, copyright, industrial design, and integrated circuit topography applications.
IP Search Information Officers provide numerous services, including providing IP information, answering general enquiries, and guiding clients with IP searches through various IP databases.
