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Some of the highlights in design history are briefly shared below for interest sake.
Torrini, a famous brand in Italy contributed to design history in 1369 with their half clover and spur which was an old trademark and was registered in Florence.
Whishaw registered a poor man’s patent, namely registered design in 1849 for a specific whistle. Many people imitated the design during the years following the registration of the design.
Many years later in 2000 the Member States introduced laws and regulations to ensure compliance with the so-called Directive to ensure harmonisation of regulations regarding patents, trademarks and designs among the states.
In 2002 the Community Unregistered Design and the Community Registered Design came into being. In 2003 the single registration of a unitary right to cover intellectual property including designs in the EU came into being.
In 2004 the Intellectual Property Department of Hong Kong launched an online registered design search facility to simplify the novelty search regarding designs in Hong Kong.
As recent as May 2010 the Routemaster final design was unveiled by Wrightbus. It features asymmetric glass swoops. Designs are as much a part of the artistic and creative world as the industrial world. From the old days to modern societies, we find design disputes, regulation and commercial exploitation.
The best way to promote brand other than through trademarks is through registered designs since such provide the proprietor with exclusive rights to the usage, making, distribution and commercial exploitation of registered functional and aesthetic designs registered.
Smit & Van Wyk intellectual property attorneys have just as an impressive design history since we have handled many applications, renewals, disputes, infringement cases, and license agreements over the years.
Contact us today regarding design applications, renewal, disputes, and agreements to help your company become part of the design history of South Africa.
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