Registering overseas

You need a separate design registration for each country where you want your design protected.  A UK registration, for instance, can be used to stop people copying your design in the UK, or importing copies into the UK from elsewhere, but it can't be used to stop anybody operating in other countries.

Applications for overseas design registrations can be filed up to 6 months after you file a UK application for the same design, and they still get the benefit of the initial UK date.  So, we normally advise a UK applicant to file here first and delay overseas applications until 6 months later.

Overseas design applications can be costly, especially since you need one for each country of interest.  There are however systems which simplify the procedure and reduce the costs involved.  You can apply for a "Community design registration" for instance - this is a single registration which automatically covers the whole of the EC.  Like a UK one, a Community design registration can be used to protect several related designs together.