Qualifying countries include the United Kingdom, the rest of the European Economic Area and British overseas territories.
The registered design right provides up to 25 years protection.
In comparison, the Community unregistered design right lasts for three years from the date on which the design is first made available to the public in the EU.
Following the exit from the European Union on 1 January 2021, the UK also established a supplementary unregistered design right that lasts for three years from first disclosure in the UK.
This mirrors the European Community unregistered design rights, and offers some protection to surface decoration from copying.