Amendments to European Union design laws are to raise limits on multiple filings and introduce new fees; we take a look at possible filing and renewal strategies under the new rules.

The European Union’s design legislation reform package came into force on 8 December 2024; the changes it brings to both the EU Regulation 6/2002 on Community designs and the EU Directive 98/71 will start coming into force gradually as from 1 May 2025.

We wish to draw your attention in particular to the new filing and and renewal fees for designs of the European Union that will be applicable as from 1 May 2025, as well to the new rules raising the limit on the number of designs that can be included in a multiple application.

We take a look at possible filing and renewal strategies under the new rules.

Change in filing fees and rules

The new filing fees must be read in combination with new filing rules, also coming into effect on 1 May 2025:

1) designs belonging to different classes of the International Classification for Industrial Designs under the Locarno Agreement can be included in the same multiple application for registration.

2) up to 50 designs can be included in the same multiple application for registration.

The combination of the above changes can produce considerable savings on filing fees, as shown in this simulation:

In 2022 an automotive company filed  three multiple design applications

	Application 1	4 different graphical user interfaces in Locarno class 14. Under current filing fees: 350 € for the first design and 175 € for each of the 3 additional designs.
	Application 2	2 wheels rims, in Locarno class 12. Under current filing fees: 350 € for the first design and 175 € for the additional design.
	Application 3	6 car lights in Locarno class 26. Under current filing fees: 350 € for the first design and 175 € for each of the 5 additional designs.
		Total paid by applicant: 2625 €
		Under the new rules and fees applicable as of 1 May 2025, a single application would be possible for all 12 designs costing 1725 €, with savings worth 900 €.

However, it is easy to calculate that while savings with regard to the current fees are considerable for multiple applications including 20 designs, in the case of 50 designs the total filing fees after 1 May 2025 will be slightly higher compared to current fees.

Change in renewal fees

Fees are to increase for all 5-year renewal periods, but in particular with regard to the 3rd and 4^th, as shown also in the second part of the simulation below.

It is therefore advisable to consider paying any renewal fees falling due before October 2025 while the current fees still apply.

Current and new renewal fees compared for the same 12 design registrations

	1st renewal	150 x 12 = 1.800 € instead of 90 x 12 = 1.080 € increase: 720 €
	2nd renewal	250 x 12 = 3.000 € instead of 120 x 12 = 1.440 € increase: 1.560 €
	3rd renewal	400 x 12 = 4.800 € instead of 150 x 12 = 1.800 € increase: 3.000 €
	4th renewal	700 x 12 = 8.400 € instead of 180 x 12 = 2.160 € increase: 6.240 €

Thanks to SIB partner Andrea Soldatini  for contributing to this news item.

Further information

For any assistance or queries concerning renewing or filing a European Union design please contact us, we are happy to help.