DesignClass is a search and translation tool for the product indicators required to apply for design protection. It provides a collection of user-friendly capabilities to assist users in identifying the Harmonised Database of Product Indications (HDBPI) that best matches the items to which a design is applied.
HDBPI was produced collaboratively by the EU Intellectual Property Offices (EU IP Offices) and the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in order to better map all of the various products for which a design may be registered.
On 12 May 2023, The National Institute of Industrial Property of Argentina (INPI-AR) announced their decision on joining DesignClass. With that decision, Argentina will then begin to adopt the HDBPI list of terms in DesignClass.
Applicants can search and translate product indications into 30 languages using DesignClass. Following the decision of INPI-AR, the total number of participating IP offices rises to 42. Currently, 16 non-EU IP offices use and accept the terms of this harmonised database.
Sources
Details
- Publication date
- 7 June 2023
- Author
- European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency