How to apply for a Design
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How to apply for a Design

 


Submit all your Design Applications Online

Search Request with the National Office

One of the requirements for a design is that it is original and new. For this reason it is recommended to carry out a design search prior to applying for registration.

The minimum requirements for a search to be carried out are:

  1. The name of the design
  2. The date of application
  3. The name of the applicant

The pre-application search request may be made either by email or post and this service carries a fee of €11.65 per design. Alternatively, a search may be carried out at the office by searching the register manually for which no fees are involved.

It is also recommended to search the Community Design database at:

https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/

Filing an Application with the National Office

An application is to be submitted to the Industrial Property Registrations Directorate online. The fee is of €46.59 and the design right is protected for a period of five years from the date of filing of the application and is renewable for one or more periods of five years each up to a total term of 25 years. The registration of a design may be renewed at the request of the proprietor, accompanied by the prescribed fee.   A  late renewal can be effected up to six months after the  date of expiry.  If the registration is not renewed it shall be removed from the register.

The application form is to be accompanied by:

  1. The name of the design
  2. A number of drawings or photos showing the design from different angles
  3. A description of the design

Examination and Registration

The process for registration will take around 3 (three) months from application date. The application shall be examined in order to ascertain that it complies with the requirements of the law. If any of these requirements are missing the Comptroller will inform the applicant and invite him to make the necessary amendments. If the necessary amendments are not made the Comptroller shall refuse the application.

On the registration of a design the registration certificate shall be issued and a notice shall be published in the IP Online Journal stating the fact that the design has been registered and that it is available to be viewed by the public at the Office.

How to protect your Design abroad/internationally  

You may want to register your design outside of Malta, to obtain protection in the whole of the European Union (EU), as well as in other countries outside the EU or even beyond. The Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs provides a centralised registration system where you can e-file up to 100 designs and target over 55 territories in one single application that you could use to claim priority in further filings.

Any individual or business in Malta can file an international application under the Hague System.  For more information on Filing an International Application, geographical coverage and fees, and to get started, please go to www.wipo.int/hague/en  

Methods of Payment

Payment may be done either:

  1.  directly at the office, by cash (exact amount), cheque;
  2.  by post - the application form together with a cheque payable to 'The Comptroller of Industrial Property';
  3.  online at: www.ips.gov.mt
  4.  Bank transfer to:
                    Bank: Bank of Valletta
                    Account number: 40018101689 (charges to be incurred by sender)
                    IBAN: MT58VALL22013000000040018101689
                    BIC Code: VALL MTMT
                    Account Name: Commerce

Schedule of Fees for Design Applications​

Documents may be left at the front desk of the Commerce Department as per below:

Winter (1st October - 15th June): 08:00 - 12:00 & 13:30 – 15:30

Summer (16th June - 30th September): 08:00 - 12:00

Clients may also utilise the services at the Business 1st offices at Ċentru Joseph Grech, 2nd Floor, Cobalt House, Notabile Road, Mrieħel, Birkirkara (website www.businessfirst.com.mt) should they have any queries regarding the filing of Trademarks, Patents or Designs applications.

Please do not hesitate to contact this office for any queries or clarifications that you may have. For further information kindly contact our office on telephone number 2569 0340 or send an email to ipoffice@gov.mt.

 

Redress or appeal:
Decisions of the office which are open to redress or appeal must be sent on ipoffice@gov.mt or in writing at:
Commerce Department, Industrial Property Registration
Director Industrial Property Registration,
Valletta  VLT 1933, Malta​
Disclaimer:
Unless otherwise indicated, the information contained in this site is issued by the Industrial Property Registrations Director within the Commerce Department at The Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands
Updated on:
Last updated on the 2nd May 2022