The appearance of a digital product can be a valuable business asset. We advise on graphical user interfaces, icons, animation, transitions and the relationship between design protection and software-related rights.
The decisions that matter
A user interface, an icon set, a transition sequence and a physical device are not necessarily one design. We help identify the visual features that matter commercially and choose a filing approach that reflects them.
Prepare representations for the target office
EU filing practice changed in 2026 to accommodate new forms of representation. International filings still require jurisdiction-specific checks. The fact that a format can be uploaded does not establish that every target country recognises the same subject matter.
Keep code, function and appearance separate
Design protection does not give a monopoly over an abstract workflow or software functionality. Copyright, contracts, trade marks and trade secrets may support different aspects of the product. We coordinate those protections with the design filing.
Choose the subject matter precisely
A screen layout, animated transition, icon and device housing can each raise a different protection question. Identify whether the commercially valuable appearance lies in a static state, a sequence or a component. Avoid including unrelated screen states merely to show the breadth of an application. The representations should define a coherent design and not leave the claim to be inferred from a product demonstration.
Ownership across product teams
Digital design often involves employees, freelancers, agencies and licensed assets. Check the chain of title for the appearance and the permissions for fonts, icons, stock elements and other incorporated material. A software development contract may address source code without transferring every relevant design or copyright interest. Keep version histories and approvals alongside the filing record.
International filing and enforcement
The EU’s 2026 formats do not establish that every foreign office accepts the same subject matter or file type. Review national practice before a global launch. In a dispute, preserve the accused interface, version, device context and sequence of states. A screenshot may be insufficient to show an animated design, while a video may need a clear explanation of what it records.
Three digital products
A medical device may justify separate claims for the control screen and the physical enclosure. A mobility dashboard may contain a distinctive transition sequence independent of the hardware. A consumer app may need an icon filing and a separate assessment of its visual interface, while software functionality remains outside the design claim.
What we need to begin
Useful starting material includes clear product images or drawings, the intended applicant, designer and ownership information, planned countries, earlier filings and all known disclosure dates. Tell us whether the product is a prototype, a final production model or a family of variants, and identify the commercial deadline.
Scope, fees and next steps
We first identify the legal question and the information needed to answer it. The proposed scope distinguishes filing or analysis, office correspondence, negotiations and proceedings, together with official charges and any foreign-adviser work. You receive a matter-specific proposal before the agreed steps are taken. Where another jurisdiction is involved, we coordinate with local advisers as required.
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Legal resources
Official guidance and legal framework. The applicable right, filing date and jurisdiction determine the detailed rules. Editorial review: 11 November 2026.