A registered design relates to and protects the outward appearance of an object as opposed to a patent, which relates to and protects a concept. The protection afforded by a registered design can be extremely valuable. There are two types of registered designs in South Africa: Functional Designs and Aesthetic Designs.
FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
A functional design protects the appearance of an object insofar as such appearance is dictated by the function the object is to perform. A functional design could also have aesthetic features protectable as an aesthetic design.
Term of a functional design: 10 years
AESTHETIC DESIGN
An aesthetic design protects the aesthetic appearance of an object as judged by the eye, or the “eye appeal” of an object. A design can have both aesthetic and functional features.
