An industrial design is a protective right which covers the outer esthetical appearance of a product. A design can be filed in the form of a drawing or a photograph which represents the features to be protected. After a check of formal requirements the design will be registered for a number of up to 25 years (Germany(link)). An industrial design consists of the creation of a shape, configuration or composition of pattern or color, or combination of pattern and color in three dimensional form containing aesthetic value. An industrial design can be a two- or three-dimensional pattern used to produce a product or industrial commodity

In the European Community a registered design (RCD(link)) can be obtained for a lifetime of up to 25 years. Similar national registered designs are available in most countries of the world, subject to payment of an official fee and meeting other formal requirements. In Kenya, Japan, South Korea and Hungary, industrial designs are registered after performing an official novelty search. For the member states of WIPO, a coverage is afforded by an application according to the Hague Agreement, registration at WIPO and examination by the designated member states in accordance with the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement.