Industrial Design
Get Expert Help to Register Industrial Designs in Malaysia
What is Industrial Design
Industrial design refers to the visual features of a product that make it stand out – its shape, configuration, pattern, or ornamentation. These elements may be two-dimensional (such as lines, patterns, or colors) or three-dimensional (such as form or surface structure), or a combination of both.
In simple terms, industrial design protects the appearance of your product, not how it works.
To be eligible for protection, a design must be:
- New – it hasn’t been disclosed to the public anywhere in the world
- Industrially applicable – it can be produced or used in any industry
What Can Be Registered as an Industrial Design in Malaysia?
Examples of registrable design features:
- The shape or configuration of a product (e.g. a uniquely curved chair or bottle)
- The pattern or decoration on a surface (e.g. textile prints or embossed packaging)
- A combination of 2D (pattern or decoration) and 3D (shape or configuration) elements
What Cannot Be Registered as an Industrial Design?
Certain elements are not eligible for industrial design protection, including:
- Methods or principles of construction – a process or operation by which a shape or product is produced.
- Features that are dictated solely by the technical function of the product
- Designs that are not visually distinctive or are too similar to existing products
How Long Does Industrial Design Protection Last?
In Malaysia, an industrial design registration:
- Is valid for an initial period of 5 years from the date of filing
- Can be renewed every 5 years, up to a maximum of 25 years
This long-term protection helps preserve the value and exclusivity of your design throughout its commercial lifecycle.
What Is Industrial Design’s Rights?
Once registered, you will have:
- The exclusive right to use, sell, or license the design
- The ability to prevent others from using your design without permission
- The option to assign or license your rights for added commercial opportunities
To maintain full legal effect, any assignment or licensing agreement should be recorded at the Registry of Designs.
