Design search

Before filing a design application, it is recommended to gather information on the existing pool of design creations and search for prior registered designs. The search for registered designs helps to find out if your design meets the requirements for protection, “novelty” and “individual character”, or possibly infringes earlier rights. Before registration of the design, the Icelandic Intellectual Property Office does not examine whether these requirements for protection are met or whether similar or identical designs are already registered. A possible collision with earlier IP rights will only be determined in the case of a dispute by the civil courts. To be able to effectively defend a design, it is recommended to conduct regular searches and monitor the market once a design has been registered.