Designs can be registered for a wide range of products, including computers, radios, toys and watches.
Registered designs protect only the appearance of products, for example the look of a computer monitor. Registration of the design does not protect the way in which the product relating to the design works. Protection for the way in which a product works may be available under patent law. Computer software is protected under copyright law.
Registered design owners have the right to prevent others from manufacturing, importing, using, selling or hiring the design product.
Registered design protection is renewable for periods of five years. However, designs can only be renewed twice.

How to classify my articles?

Your application must include a list of all articles which you want to register your designs with.

Locarno Classification List

The International Classification for Industrial Designs (“the Locarno Classification”) published by the World Intellectual Property Organization is the system adopted for classifying design articles. For details of the Locarno Classification, please refer to the website at http://www.wipo.int/classifications/en.
The class and sub-class of the registered design records show the classification at the time of registration of the registered designs. They are not re-classified in accordance with the latest edition of the Locarno classification published by WIPO. The Locarno Classification is “solely of an administrative character”; it facilitates design searches and obviates substantial reclassification work when documents are exchanged at the international level.

Enforcement actions by owners of registered designs

The owner of a registered design, or an exclusive licensee in his own name, can bring civil proceedings against infringements committed after the registration of a design. Owners of registered designs should consult their legal advisers on this aspect before taking steps to defend their rights.

How Do I Register my Trade Mark?

An application for registration of a trade mark must be filed at the Antigua and Barbuda Intellectual Property Office,
Hewlett House, St. John’s Street, St. John’s, Antigua, West Indies. More information is provided in the Contact Us Section.

When should I renew my registered design?

You should renew your registered design on or before its end date of period of registration. As an associated design cannot be renewed if the original registered design is not renewed, please ensure that the original registered design has been renewed before you file the renewal application for an associated design.