New Italian Design Law

A new Design law is now in force in Italy since decree n°95 dated 2/02/2001, published in Official Gazette n° 79 dated 4/4/2001. As concerns the protection requirements, a design must be new and have individual character. It’s no longer required the ornamental character. Components of complex products may be registred only if they are visible during normal use by the consumer and if their visible features fulfil the above mentioned requirements. The duration of designs has now been extended from 15 years to 25 years.