DPN 2/06: Allowing multiple applications
Published 20 November 2007
© Crown copyright 2007
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designs-practice-notice-206/dpn-206-allowing-multiple-applications
The application system now allows for any number of new designs to be applied for under one single application, with an amended fee structure which will provide financial enhancements for multiple filings rather than single applications.
There are no restrictions on the number of designs filed as part of a multiple application. The application form (DF2A) has been re-designed to provide for more than one design in any application, and a new DF2B form has been introduced to allow for surplus designs in any original multiple application (on the grounds that insufficient fees were paid) to be applied for, maintaining the filing date of the original application. A designs “ready reckoner” sheet can be used to assist applicants to calculate the correct fee payable in any multiple application.
The application form asks for largely the same information as before, but the structure of the form is different, with common information such as name, address and contact details on front, and a back sheet asking for information that is specific to the design being applied for. A new back sheet should be created for each different design.
In any multiple application that results in some of the designs being subject to substantive and/or formalities objections by the examiner and the remaining designs are deemed acceptable to proceed to publication and registration, those that are deemed acceptable will be allowed to proceed without delay. The remaining designs will be dealt with in accordance with the requirements in each and every case, and may themselves proceed at different stages.
Once the designs applied for as part of a multiple application reach registration, they will exist on the register in their own right, with no evidence that they reached registration as part of any multiple application. They will be treated separately for the purpose of all post registration actions.