INTRODUCTION

In industrial design law, complex product designs refer to products composed of multiple interconnecting parts—such as automobiles, watches, home appliances, or machinery—where individual components may also have distinct visual features. Protecting such designs poses unique legal and strategic challenges, particularly when the components are interchangeable or replaceable. Ensuring effective protection for complex products involves understanding the scope of individual and overall design registration, conditions for visibility and novelty, and the potential for enforcement and modular strategy.

PROTECTION OF THE WHOLE AND ITS PARTS

Design protection can apply to the entire product or to individual parts of the complex product, provided each part meets the requirements of novelty, originality, and visibility in normal use. For example, the design of a car’s headlight or dashboard can be protected separately from the entire vehicle design.

INTERCONNECTION AND VISIBILITY CONDITIONS

According to global standards, including EU and Indian law, parts of a complex product must be visible during normal use to qualify for protection. Components that are hidden during use, such as internal mechanical elements, typically do not qualify unless their design contributes to the product’s appearance during regular operation.

MODULAR DESIGN STRATEGY

To maximize protection, businesses often adopt a modular approach, registering multiple designs for different visible parts of a product. This creates a layered IP portfolio, making it harder for competitors to replicate the look without infringement.

FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS

Design law does not protect purely functional aspects. A design component of a complex product must have aesthetic significance, not merely serve a technical function, to be eligible for protection.

ENFORCEMENT AND INFRINGEMENT

Infringement of even a single protected component of a complex product can lead to legal action. Enforcement is strengthened when each key part is independently registered, allowing more granular control over design usage in the market.

CONCLUSION

Protection for complex product designs requires a strategic, multi-part registration approach that ensures visibility, novelty, and aesthetic distinctiveness. By securing both the whole and its key components, creators can build a robust legal shield around high-value, design-intensive products.

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